The Aurisonics Rockets was purchased by me from Hifiheadphones UK in their big clearance of Aurisonics items after it was official the Fender has now acquired Aurisonics.
 
At the time of this review they were available from Amazon at $249:
http://www.amazon.com/Aurisonics-Precision-Micro-Dynamic-Isolating-Headphones/dp/B00NP9ZML0
 
I’m not in any way affiliated with Aurisonics.
 

 
 
About Aurisonics:
As already mentioned Aurisonics was acquired by Fender not long ago so I won’t spend any time in telling their story here. Hopefully Fender will treat the legacy of Aurisonics with respect and I’ll get to tell their story in future reviews instead.
 
About me:
 
Built and accessories:
The Aurisonics Rocket is a dynamic micro driver IEM featuring a 5.1mm driver.
 
It’s been some variations on the Rockets with microphone (only KS if I understand correctly) and also a Massdrop edition with different cable (or at least a different color on the cable). The ones I’ve got is the “regular” version and it also seems to be the only one available now.
 
The build of the Rockets are probably the best I’ve ever seen in an IEM featuring crafted titanium housings, quad-weave aramid cable (whatever that means ), excellent ergonomics and isolation. On top of that they’re also waterproof (IP 65 rated).
 
The housings are very small, feel very solid and are also very lightweight and I seriously doubt that anything will go wrong with them.
 
The cable is Kevlar and feels very sturdy. As a matter of fact it may be too sturdy since it introduce quite a bit of microphonics when moving around with it. I’ve never been particularly sensitive to microphonics so it’s not a big deal for me but might be for others. Wearing them over the ear significantly reduces this problem. A nice feature is the red/blue stripes on the cable showing right and left side, very easy to spot to say the least.
 
The retail package is nice and the metal box is a nice change from the standard paper boxes. To me it also sets the standard for what the Rockets are all about: versatility and sturdiness.
 
The accessories pack is decent for the price and includes the following:
4 pairs of Aurisonics own Super Seal tips (S, M, M+, L)
1 set of Tri-Tab collar (the”wings” on the rocket)
1 set of Antiloops (ear hooks)
1 zipped leather pouch to store them in when not in use
 
The Rockets are harder than average to drive but still works fine even with my LG G3 phone.
 
 Isolation is top notch and probably one of the best I’ve come across so far.
 
The Rockets also sports a stunning 5 year warranty which is pretty amazing in my book.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blue cable on the left side and red on the right, very nice!
 
The specs:
 
Fit and ergonomics:
The very small housings on the Rockets make them a very easy fit in my experience. I’ve got narrow ear canals but these little things just slip right in.
 
The Rockets are very comfortable and I can use them for a long time without any fatigue. They can be worn over the ear or straight down and for me both work equally well.
 
I really like the Tri-Tab’s as they help both with isolation and a stable fit for me. The Antiloop’s on the other hand doesn’t work at all for me.
 
I'm not overly crazy about the sticky stock tips so instead I'm using them with some tips from my RHA s500's.
 
Sound:
I’ve used these back and forward for the last couple of weeks and they’ve played for well over 100 hours. I’ve used them both around the house and when out and about and I haven’t really found any significant weaknesses in the way they’re designed.
 
I’ve used them with my LG G3 phone (with and without my Elecom PAR500 BT receiver/amp), my FiiO X3/Cayin C5 combo and the CEntrance DACport Slim and they’ve worked very well with all of them. That being said I’ve got to admit that I love the sound from them when paired with the Cayin C5, excellent synergy.
 
Demo list:
 
The overall sound signature on Rockets is mid-centric, full, smooth and very non-fatiguing.
 
The bass is very good in quality across the board with a good balance between mid-bass and sub-bass. That being said those deepest punches are a bit rolled off. There’s no bass bleed whatsoever into higher frequencies since it’s very well controlled. The layering in the bass is also quite good. Although I find the bass sufficient for my preferences I wouldn’t recommend them to bass heads.
 
The midrange is most certainly the star of the show with the Rockets. It’s full, lush and liquid and it’s also what you’ll notice first when putting them in your ears. These are some of the best mids I’ve ever heard and they carry enough fullness to give male voices enough weight and an overall fantastic sound. Female voices are also full and smooth without any hint of sibilance.
 
The treble is also full and smooth and although extension is quite good it does roll off a bit steep in the top and I could personally have wished for a touch more sparkle. Then again by adding more energy the non-fatiguing nature of the Rockets might have been compromised so I won’t complain too loudly about it.
 
In addition to the amazing midrange one other thing that’s obvious pretty soon when you put these in your ears for the first time is the amazing timbre it adds to notes and vocals. Guitar sounds just crazy good with the Rockets. I’ve read some comments that call the presentation of the Rockets for two dimensional, in my opinion nothing could be more further from the way I hear them. Soundstage width is quite good but depth and layering is really great giving them a great sense of 3D presentation. Clarity and detail retrieval are about average for an IEM at this price point but in combination with the lush and laid back overall signature it’s still very impressive.
 
In all I find the sound from the Rockets to be very easy going and enjoyable.
 
Comparison:
Please note that the comments in the comparison section are not in absolute terms but in comparison between subject A and B. This means (as an example) that if subject A is found to be brighter than subject B it does not necessarily mean that subject A is bright sounding in absolute terms. I hope this makes sense.
 
For these comparisons I’ve used the combination of my FiiO X3 and Cayin C5.
 
Audio-Technica CKR9LTD’s vs Aurisonics Rockets:
The LTD’s are another smooth and intimate sounding IEM that I really like. Compared to the Rockets the LTD’s has a quite similar bass presence but sub-bass reaches a bit lower and has more impact. The bass on the LTD’s are slightly looser across the spectrum.  Midrange is quite forward on both but maybe even more so on the Rockets. The Rockets actually has a fuller and lusher midrange, especially upper mids, while the LTD’s more airy sounding. The LTD’s got a good and vocal presentation but the Rockets hold their own against them. Sibilance is a non-issue with both of them. The treble on the Rockets are thicker in the same way as the upper midrange and it also feels more articulated.
 
I find them both very comfortable and although built is great on both the Rockets takes the lead.
 
The LTD’s are significantly easier to drive.
 
Isolation is better with the Rockets.
 
Havi B3Pro1 vs Aurisonics Rockets:
Those who knows me also know that the Havi B3Pro1 is one of my all-time favorite IEM’s (despite its low price) and I therefore often use them in the comparison section although they’re often much cheaper that the object they’re compared to. Compared to the Rockets the Havi’s has a bigger soundstage width and an overall thinner sound. Balance is great on both with a slight lift in the mid-bass on both of them. Bass quantity is still larger on the Rockets while quality is similar but the Havi’s actually has better extension.  Midrange is the star on both and wile quite similar the Rockets are lusher and fuller. The Havi’s has better treble extension and none of them are prone to sibilance while the Rockets again has a fuller treble. Separation is slightly better on the Havi’s while the Rockets actually offer better layering and depth. Clarity and detail are quite similar on both with the Rockets pulling slightly ahead.   
 
I find the Rockes to be more comfortable and also better built.
 
The Havi’s are significantly harder to drive.
 
Isolation is much better on the Rockets.
 
Aurisonics ASG-1PLUS vs Aurisonics Rockets:
After my experience with the Rockets I caved in and bought the ASG-1PLUS as well as it was said by many that they we’re the ones of the higher tier Aurisonics offerings that was most similar to the Rockets. Compared to the Rockets the 1PLUS offers a wider soundstage and a more airy presentation. The sub bass digs deeper and overall bass has a greater presence and drive (especially with electronic music). Midrange is just amazing and liquid on both but the Rockets are even more lush but also more intimate in its presentation while the 1PLUS adds more air to its presentation. The treble is smooth and full on both but even more so on the Rockets while the 1PLUS has better extension and more easily noticed details in the top.
 
Built is excellent on both but with its Kevlar cable and titanium housings I’d still put the Rockets in front.
 
They’re equally hard to drive.
 
Isolation is very good with both of them.
 
Summary:
All together I find the Aurisonics Rockets to be a great performing IEM. It’s priced between $150 (originally on KS and occasionally on MD) and $250 (MSRP). I was lucky enough to pick up my pair on a sale for a mere $130. I’d say that at $150 it’s a great value but even at $250 I’d consider it a good value.
 
It has a great build quality (probably the best I’ve ever seen), is extremely comfortable, isolate excellent, is waterproof and has a very easily enjoyable sound signature that’s extremely non-fatiguing. Add to this the fact that they sound good with most kind of music and are not particularly picky about the source. In total it’s as if Aurisonics really designed the sound of the Rockets to match the looks and features: an easy going sound able to be enjoyed from anything, anywhere.
 
I can easily say that this is the most versatile, in every way, IEM  that I’ve ever came across and by being just that it also secures itself to get a lot of usage from me as my perfect beater pair for travels and other activities. 
 
Unfortunately the fact that Fender acquired Aurisonics leaves some questions about the future of the Rockets but I for one sure hope that they’ll still be around in one way or another. It may also feel as a waste of time reviewing them because of this but the fact that they’re still available for purchase and that I like them a lot still pushed me to take the time to do it.

The Asura 2.0 was sent to me from Venture Electronics (VE) a couple of weeks back. I would like thank VE and Lee for letting me check out the Asura 2.0. The Asura 2.0 is available from Aliexpress and was $78 at the time of this review:
 
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Venture-Electronic-VE-ASURA-high-impedance-150-ohms-earbud-earphone/1924356_32411358569.html
 
I’m not in any way affiliated with Venture Electronics.
 

 
Short introduction to Venture Electronics:
VE is a small and pretty new company, only three years old.
 
They’re located in mainland China and have fast become very popular in audiophile circles due to their line of earbuds (Monk, Asura and Zen) which offers excellent value for money.
 
About me:
Built and accessories:
The VE Asura 2.0 is a single dynamic driver earbud.
 
The cable is really nice and I find it to be excellent with very little tangling, low on microphonics, soft and flexible. The plug is L-shaped the way I prefer and it feels very solid. Left/right marking is pretty hard to spot being the same color as the housing. The only other thing I’m missing is a chin slider but I’m used to that so I’ve got an easy fix for that:
 

DIY chin slider, cheap and fast,
 
The build is all plastic but still seems very solid. Everything about them looks and feel premium.
 
Since these were a review sample there was no retail package included with my pair. There were some accessories though:
1 zippered case to store them in when not in use
1 bag with donut foams covers
1 bag with foam covers
1 pair of ear hooks
1 shirt clip
 

 

 

 

 
The Asura 2.0 is quite easy to drive despite their 150Ohms impedance and works fine even with my LG G3 phone. Isolation is pretty much none existent, after all it is an earbud.  As a matter of fact I find the lack of isolation also to be a great strength in certain situations.
 
As already mentioned the impedance of the Asura 2.0 is as high as 150Ohms but due to the rather high sensitivity (110dB @1mW) they’re still quite easy to drive. That being said I do find them to scale very well with a better source but not necessarily by more power alone.
 
The specs:
 
Fit and Ergonomics:
I’ve lived with the impression that the fit of earbuds are not for me for the last 15-20 years. After receiving the Monk I was really surprised how easy they are to fit and how well they stay in my ears, the same is true for the Asura 2.0.  They’re also extremely comfortable and are certainly lighter on the ears than most IEM’s that I’ve tried.
 
Just like with the Zen 2.0 I prefer using the Asura 2.0 naked. With foam I find them overly warm and not airy enough but as usual YMMV and there are plenty of options to try out to find ones preferred sound and fit.
 
I do notice some difference in the sound by the way the Asura 2.0 sits in my ear so it might be worth playing around a bit to find the sweet spot for your preference.
 
I prefer both comfort and sound from the Asura without any foam at all but this will of course be highly individual and there will also be possible to tweak the sound a t bit with the choice of foam used.  
 
Sound:
I’ve used these quite a lot for the last couple of weeks and they’ve played for well over 100 hours.
  
I’ve used the Asura 2.0 with my LG G3 phone, the SHOZY Lancea paired with Venture Electronics own amplifier the RunAbout (my review of it is available here: http://www.head-fi.org/products/venture-electronics-ve-runabout-portable-amplifier/reviews/14527 ) and with my FiiO X3/Cayin C5 combo.
 

Asura 2.0 and RunAbout.
 
Demo list:
 
The Asura are described by VE as being “toned to be a tiny bit brighter than the Zen 2,0  and with more focus on the vocal, so it is better for pop music”. This is pretty accurate in my opinion as the overall sound signature is mid centric with forward vocals, smooth, airy and slightly on the thin side (in comparison with the Monk and Zen but not in absolute terms). As always with VE earbuds it has a lot of characteristics that I usually associate with open full size headphones and that suit my preferences very well.
 
The bass on the Asura 2.0 does lack quite a bit of extension in the sub-bass region and don’t go as deep as I’d like. Apart from this the quality of the bass is very good. Interestingly enough the mid- and upper-bass has a good impact and presence stopping the Asura from sounding particularly thin despite the rolled off subbass.  The mid bass is clean and clear with a slight lift but absolutely no bleed into the midrange. As a matter of fact the lack of deep bass result in that the Asura 2.0 is not a very good allround performer in my opinion but the fact that it’s not really market as one either makes it ok with me. I just thought it might be worth mentioning.
 
The midrange is the star of the show on the Asura’s in my opinion. It is pushed forward making both male and female vocals sounding excellent without ever getting shouty.  Despite of being ever so slightly on the bright side the midrange is stil liquid, smooth and non-fatiguing.  
 
The treble is full and smooth in the same way as on the Zen 2.0 and despite having zero sibilance it doesn’t sound too rolled off either. As a matter of fact it blends in excellent with the rest of the signature of the Asura.
 
Soundstage in all directions is larger than what one can expect from the average IEM but a bit smaller than you’d expect from a full size open headphone. That being said the lack of deep bass makes soundstage depth feel slightly lacking. Clarity, micro details and separation is very good.
 
Comparison:
Please note that the comments in the comparison section are not in absolute terms but in comparison between subject A and B. This means (as an example) that if subject A is found to be brighter than subject B it does not necessarily mean that subject A is bright sounding in absolute terms. I hope this makes sense.
 
In the comparison section all of the ear buds is used without any foam simply because this is the way I’m using all of these at the moment.
 
VE Monk vs VE Asura 2.0
I know that a lot of people that owns the Monk are curious about how they compare to the Asura so here we go. Compared to the Asura 2.0 the Monk has more sub-bass, an overall fuller sound and a smaller soundstage. The Asura 2.0 on the other hand offers a more airy presentation and a more detailed and refined overall sound with more focus on the vocals. The Asura also has a better layering, clarity and significantly higher resolution.
 
The Asura 2.0 is slightly harder to drive but the difference is not as big as the numbers would suggest. The Asura feels overall more solid built and in my opinion also looks nicer.
 
VE Zen 2.0 vs VE Asura 2.0
Compared to the Asura 2.0 the Zen 2.0 has more bass impact in both sub- and higher bass, a slightly better soundstage width and depth and an overall fuller sound. The Zen 2.0 has got a more even presentation from top to bottom. The Asura 2.0 is more mid focused, has a more airy presentation, is a bit brighter and offers a higher resolution.
 
The Zen 2.0 is slightly harder to drive but once again the difference is not as big as the numbers would suggest. The built quality is similar but in my opinion the Zen 2.0 looks nicer.
 
To me the Zen is a direct upgrade to the Monk in the way that it has a similar overall balance but still betters it in pretty much every way. As for the Asura it’s tuned differently than the other two and I’d consider it a side grade to the Zen more than anything else.
 
Summary:
As already mentioned VE’s statement that the Asura 2.0 is focused on vocals and has a slightly brighter tuning than the Zen 2.0 is true to my ears. That being said I’d like to make very clear that it’s not particularly bright sounding, only in comparison to the Zen’s (and the Monk’s).
 
The brighter signature surely has its advantages and one of them is that resolution seems to be better on the Asura’s than on its siblings. Another one is a more airy overall sound. The presentation on the Asura reminds me quite a bit of that on my Grado SR325is in that way but with a much smoother and more controlled treble.
 
All in all the Asura 2.0 is great if you listen to a lot of vocal and acoustical music. It’s just so happens that this is what I listen to the most and to me they even outshine the mighty Zen 2.0 with this kind of music. If one listens to a lot of music where bass impact is important for the presentation the Asura 2.0 probably won’t be the best choice.
 
Although VE market the Asura 2.0 as tuned for vocals I’d still have appreciated a bit more bass impact and that’s the only reason why I’ve chosen to drop half a star on the overall rating. With acoustical music and vocals they definitely have a five star performance to me.

The XTZ Earphone Sports was sent to me by XTZ in Sweden in exchange for my honest opinion on them. I’d like to take the opportunity to say thank you to Olle (the CEO of XTZ) for giving me the chance to check them out, TACK!
 
For people in the EU they’re available from here:
 
http://shop.xtzsound.eu/shop/eu/earphones/xtz-earphone-sports
 
At the time for this review the price was 90 Euro.
 
I’m not in any way affiliated with XTZ.
 

 
 
About XTZ:
XTZ is a Swedish company that’s been gaining a lot of praise for their great value for money speakers and subwoofers in Scandinavia for over ten years now.
 
Since this is a brand that’s (still) quite unknown in large parts of the world and have a proud and interesting history I’ve choose to use a bit more of the review than normal to present the company (after all I’m Swedish myself ). This is what they say about themselves on their homepage:
 
For almost 30 years, Olle Eliasson has designed premium speakers for those who are passionate about great sound. Company founder Olle Eliasson started this legacy in 2004, and it continues today with sheer commitment to innovation and delivering maybe the world’s most powerful, detailed and emotional sound reproduction. Today, the brands diverse product portfolio encompasses, stereo speakers, home theater, professional cinema, commercial, computer speakers, amplifiers, measurement systems and headphones. As one of the most competitive loudspeaker companies, XTZ continues to be the high-performance brand of choice for audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts around the world.
 
XTZ was founded in 2004 by Olle Eliasson that had devoted his whole life to music and Hi-Fi ever since he was 13 years old.Right after his education in electronics 1987, Olle started to work in this business to pursue his passion for Hi-Fi. Meaning that he now has about 30 years of experience. It´s with Olle´s passion for music and many years of experience that has lead XTZ to achieve maybe the most price worthy products available today. Olle has built up an international network of engineers, technicians and producers who all have very long experience in the Hi-Fi business. This experience includes knowledge in all parts of the industry, beginning with the development, manufacturing and also distribution of Hi-Fi products. We work with several companies in Europe, Asia and the US. Production takes place both in Sweden and Asia. We are a relatively new and young brand, but our accumulated experience reaches far back in time. The people involved in our product development all possess unique knowledge and long experience. We are old enough to know when to use proven technology but young enough to incorporate cutting edge discoveries when necessary. These two are then carefully balanced against how high the final cost is allowed to be.  A good example is the decision of using class A amplification or well established driver manufacturer brands and pair those with the latest available DSP technology to reach new heights in performance. Our design is modern yet timeless and we simply want more people to afford and enjoy the highest quality of sound - to enjoy life a bit more! My brand is an extension of my personality, who I am and what I stand for! Life is short and this time should be carefully spent!
 
Our goal:
"To offer the best relation between price, performance and quality on the market " In order to reach this we have the following cornerstones:

1. Direct sales - reduce the number of middle men
2. High quality strategy
3. Happy customer guarantee using Buy & try - three weeks full refund policy
4. Producing the perfect compromise
5. Cost effective large scale manufacturing
6. Product quality before marketing
7. Honesty around and about the products
8. An absolute sonic reference is important - but the impression of sound is always a matter of personal preference
9. Honesty and long-sightedness

 
 
About me:
 
Built and accessories:
The XTZ Earphone Sports is a single dynamic IEM featuring an 8.6 mm driver. They’re only available in a black and red color scheme and have an inline microphone that works for calls with both Android and the fruit company’s offerings. They’re however based on the Earphone 12 which comes in a dark grey and black color scheme, another accessory pack and without microphone.
 
The XTZ Earphone Sports has a flat cable and although I don’t really dislike that I do prefer a good round cable. The cable is tangle free though and microphonics is about average. I really like the fact that the cable is split in two parts (60 + 65 cm) so that you can use it with a shorter cable when working out with your phone in an armband or when having it in a breast- or inner pocket when out and about. When you need a longer cable it’s just to add the extension part and you’ve got a normal length. The microphone seem to be of good quality since people seem to hear me without any problem when I'm using it to make calls but the pause/play button only seem to work with the XTC DSP app and no other players.
 
The chin slider is unfortunately missing and I wish that it had been added. Solid strain reliefs are in place on all the crucial points and the Y-split feel also solid in spite of being really small.
 
The build in general seem solid. The housings are all plastic but still feel quite sturdy and reliable. A nice feature is the fact that there’s magnets inside the housings that makes it possible to stick them together if you for example wear the around your neck when not in use.
 
The L/R markings are in white on the black housing so it’s fairly easy to spot.
 

Magnets hold the housings together, a very clever solution

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
The retail package is quite nice and what you’d expect from an IEM at this price point.
 
The accessories pack is quite good and includes the following:
 
2 pairs silicon tips (M,L)
1 pair comply tips
1 pair earhooks
1 3,5 to 6,5mm adapter
1 flight adapter
1 pouch to store them in when not in use
 
I’d like to have some more tips included but apart from that I’m quite happy with the things included
 
The XTZ Earphone Sports are quite easy to drive and worked very well with all the sources I’ve tried it with. That being said since they need the DSP app to perform its best it’s pretty much limit to use with phones, tablets and computers.
 

 

 

 
 
The specs:
 
Fit and ergonomics:
Since the Earphone Sports comes with so few tip alternatives none of the fitted me very well so I was forced to bring out the tip box. After trying few I settled on some narrow bore tips from the RHA S500.
 
I find the XTZ Earphone Sports to be very comfortable and got no problem wearing them for several hours. They’re designed to be worn straight down and the design brings the thought to the Monster Gratitude and also the ATH-CKR line to some degree. I’ve always liked this type of design sinde it seem to work very well with my ears. There’s also a set of earhooks included to keep them safe in place when working out or doing other activities. The earhooks fits fine but I get such a good fit with the Earphone Sports on its own that I haven’t really used the earhooks much.
 
Isolation is about average.
 
They’re average hard to drive.
 
Sound:
I’ve used them as my main IEM in the last two weeks and they’ve played for well over 100 hours. I’ve used them both around the house and when out and about and I haven’t really found any significant weaknesses in the way they’re designed.
 
I’ve used them primarily with my LG G3 phone due to the fact the I prefer the sound of them combined with the XTZ DSP app (more about this later).
 
Demo list:
 
The overall sound signature on the XTZ Earphone Sports without the DSP app is v-shaped with an airy presentation and a good mid-bass impact. When used with the DSP app in the “Reference” setting it’s much more balanced but keep the nice airy presentation and has a sort of “analogue” sound if that makes sense.
 

Frequency response of the Earphone Sports borrowed from the XTZ website.
 
The sub-bass extension on the Earphone Sports is good but its presence is a bit toned down making it lack a bit with (sub-) bass heavy music. This is not a big deal but I’ve definitely heard IEM’s that digs deeper and hit harder. Mid- and upper bass presence is a bit too much for my liking without the DSP app active. Using the DSP app the bass is good without being overwhelming. There’s still enough fullness to give voices a nice weight and the overall sound feels much more balanced. Even with the DSP activated there’s still enough bass presence to make them very enjoyable with all kind of music.  
 
The midrange is a bit recessed and overpowered by the bass without the DSP activated but once you turn it on the bass presence is reduced which pushes the midrange more forward and helps to contribute to a more balanced overall sound. Personally I’d like the midrange to be even a slightly more forward but I still wouldn’t call it recessed with the “Reference” filter activated.  The midrange on the XTZ is not full and lush but doesn’t feel particularly thin, I’d rather call it quite neutral.
 
The treble is well extended but comes across as a bit thin without using the DSP, once again turning the DSP on makes it fuller and more in balance with the rest of the frequencies. It’s obvious that some peaks are removed with the filter. I find the treble (with the DSP on) to be really good and without any hint of sibilance.
 
Clarity and micro details are above what I’d call average for an IEM at this price point. Soundstage width is very good while depth is less than average at this price point.  The lack of depth can actually make them feel a bit flat in its presentation with some music.
 
The speed and separation on the Earphone Sports is really good. On the song “Unshakable” by Celldweller there’s a lot going on and less capable IEM’s is easily exposed by it losing control and sounding muddy. The Earphone Sports plays this song effortlessly with everything in its right place and great bass layering.  
 
Unfortunately I’ve only been able to test the Earphone Sports with Android devices so I cannot comment on the performance with the I-device app.
 
Comparison:
Please note that the comments in the comparison section are not in absolute terms but in comparison between subject A and B. This means (as an example) that if subject A is found to be brighter than subject B it does not necessarily mean that subject A is bright sounding in absolute terms. I hope this makes sense.
 
These comparisons were done listening through my LG G3 phone. Where nothing else is mentioned I used it with XTZ’s own DSP app as a player and with the “Reference” filter on.  
 
USB Audio Player Pro vs XTZ DSP:
XTZ’s DSP app is developed in corporation with Dirac (which is yet another highly regarded Swedish company in their line of business). For more information about their products in general and their mobile audio technique in particular please use this link:
 
http://www.dirac.com/mobile-audio/
 
The USB Audio Player Pro (UAPP) is my preferred player on my Android devices. I use it both when pairing my devices with USB DAC’s but also as a standalone player when using the headphone output on my phone. I still haven’t found any better sounding player.
 
With UAPP the XTZ Earphone Sport has a v-shaped signature with a very airy sound and a quite impactful mid-bass. The overall presentation is lively and engaging in this set up but the midrange is a bit more recessed than I’d like.
 
The XTC DSP app is custom made for XTZ’s earphones and headphones and let you choose your earphone/headphone first to get into the options for that particular phone. When using the XTZ DSP app as your player with the Earphone Sports you get six preset correction filters to choose from for the Earphone Sports: Reference, Boost 1-3, Bright and Comply Foam. I prefer the Reference setting as it gives the most balanced sound. With the Reference filter the Earphone Sports has a very well balanced sound without any blooming bass and with a very airy and non-intrusive sound.
 
If I need a bit more bass impact I prefer using the Boost 1 filter in the DSP app. I prefer UAPP over the XTZ app when DSP is turned off.
 

Screenshots from the XTZ DSP app
 
Aurisonics Rockets vs XTZ Earphone Sports:
These two, while still fairly well balanced, are actually very different sounding.  Compared to the Earphone Sports the Rockets are warmer and fuller sounding with a more liquid midrange. The Rockets are also more intimate while the XTZ’s has a more airy presentation. Sub-bass extension and impact is quite similar on both. The Rockets also have more forward vocals and are more natural sounding to me. The treble is smoother and more natural on the Rockets. The Rockets have much better depth and timbre while the XTZ’s has a wider soundstage, are brighter and has a much more airy presentation.  
 
I find the Rockets to be the more comfortable of the two.
 
Although the Earphone Sports feels quite solid the Rockets feel even more durable with its titanium housing. I also prefer the round cable on the Rockets over the flat one on the XTZ’s.
 
The Rockets are harder to drive.
 
Isolation is much better on the Rockets.  
 
DUNU Titan1 vs XTZ Earphopne Sports:
These two are actually quite similar. Sub-bass extension is pretty similar as is the impact on the rest of the lower frequencies with maybe a touch more presence on the XTZ’s. They both offer a tight and well controlled bass reproduction.  The midrange on these two is very similar both in balance and presentation with the XTZ being a bit fuller and the Titan’s equally slightly brighter and thinner and having a bit more lift in the upper mids. The treble is a bit fuller on the XTZ’s making them less prone to sibilance while extension is similar. Vocals sound more or less identical with both. Soundstage width and depth is similar very similar but the XTZ’s actually even more airy sounding. They both have great clarity, details and separation. 
 
I find the Titans to be more comfortable.
 
The metal housing on the Titan’s feel more reliable and it also has a really nice cable. The XTZ’s on the other hand has the two parted cable as their advantage. In general both seem solid.
 
The Titan’s are slightly harder to drive.
 
Isolation is better on the XTZ.
 
Soundmagic E80 vs XTZ Earphopne Sports:
The similarities are greater than the differences with these two as well. Sub-bass goes a bit deeper on the E80’s. They both have a bit subdued mid- and upper-bass but the XYZ’s has a bit more impact. Vocals are slightly fuller and also a bit more forward on the E80’s. Both soundstage depth and height is pretty similar but the XTZ’s has better width. They both have a clean and airy presentation but the XTZ’s even more so. The E80’s is more mid centric while the XTZ is more balanced with maybe a very slight V-shape. The treble is also quite similar but slightly fuller and also a bit sharper on the E80’s.
 
I find both of these very comfortable.
 
Since the housings on the E80’s are made of metal they feel a bit more premium. The XTZ’s on the other hand has the two parted cable as their advantage. Overall build quality is good on both.
 
The E80’s are harder to drive.
 
Isolation is better on the E80’s.
 
Summary:
The XTZ Earphone Sports sound decent on their own but it’s when paired up with the XTZ DSP app the magic really happens.  Used with the app the airy and well balanced presentation that still has enough bass presence to perform well with all genres of music is very easy to enjoy and get addicted to. I’m not a person that use EQ normally for the simple reason that I’ve got so much stuff and uses a lot of different sources and IEM’s every week so I find it too time consuming to optimize every source with every IEM (basically I’m too lazy). The customized solution with the DSP app is a great solution for me but it still doesn’t change the fact that it makes the Earphone Sports less ideal to pair with other sources than those running Android or IOS.
 
I also like the fit on them and the two piece cable makes them great for wearing when out and about (easy to use with a phone in an armband or breast pocket) . I’d have wished for them to be waterproof to be better suited for sports and outside activities given their target group. 
 
In total I think that the XTZ Earphone Sports is a very solid offering whether you plan to use them while working out or just to enjoy your music at home. Their signature is quite unique and the usage of a custom app to further improve their sound is an interesting idea. This first encounter with XTZ when it comes to head-fi related stuff really makes me look forward to more offerings from them in this segment in the future.
 
The 4,5 star rating is when used combined with the XTZ DSP app. Without the app I’d probably drop one star on the overall rating.
 
If you don’t need the earhooks and the mic the XTZ Earphone 12 should sound identical at a lower price.

I would like to start with saying thank you to Brainwavz and Pandora for letting me checking out the Brainwavz HM2.
 
The Brainwavz HM2 is available from Brainwavz Audio:
http://www.brainwavzaudio.com/products/hm2-headphones
 
I’m not in any way affiliated with Brainwavz.
 
The only full sized headphone from Brainwavz that I own so far is the excellent HM5. It’s one of my favorite closed headphones with its very well balanced sound. I’ve also thoroughly auditioned the HM3 that I liked so needless to say I was very curious about how the HM2 would perform, let’s get down to it.
 

 
About Brainwavz:
Brainwavz is a well know company here on Head-Fi and this is what they say about themselves on their website:
Established in 2008 with a goal to bring real earphones to real users at realistic prices -A SMALL START WITH BIG RETURNS
 
Today the range spans across earphones and headphones, a new accessories line and the addition of inline controls for the booming smartphone markets
 
The future sees the BRAINWAVZ team expanding to more new products, from new designers with fresh ideas - WE ARE HERE TO STAY, so keep listening out for us!
 
At Brainwavz we have a simple mission, to produce innovative, high quality audio products with a dedicated focus on high-end sound at a realistic price. Our strength, success and product range is built on our unique relationship with our customers and users, a relationship that has produced a simple and obvious result. We give real-users real sound quality.
 
About me:

 

 

 
 
Built and accessories:
The Brainwavz HM2’s are a dynamic headphone featuring a 40mm driver.
 
It comes “only” in one flavor: black/grey color scheme with two different cables, one with mic and one without. The answer/call (same as play/pause) button and mic works great with my LG G3 phone.
 
The HM2 has detachable cable with a standard 3,5mm connenction and actually comes with two cables: one flat without microphone and one round with microphone. I personally prefer the round one so that’s the one I’ve been using. The cable has a straight 3.5 mm connector. Although I personally prefer L-shaped (45 or 9 degrees) connectors this one seems well built and should hold up for a long time.
 
The microphone seem to be of good quality and people can hear me loud and clear when using it to make phonecalls.  
 
The build seems solid in the way we’re used to from Brainwavz. Although the material is almost exclusively plastic they still seem well build in general.
 
The retail package is nice as always with Brainwavz and feels very good for a headphone in this price bracket.
 
The accessories pack is decent for the price and includes the following:
1 flat cable without a microphone
1 round cable with a microphone
1 zipped case to store them in when not in use
 
The Brainwavz HM2’s are about average to drive and works fine even with LG G3 phone.
 
 Isolation is less than average for a closed headphone.
 
Please note that Brainwavz has extended their warranty to last for 24 months (earlier it was 12 months) for all their products. Pretty impressive to me, let’s hope that other manufactures learn from this and offer the same in the future.
 

 

 

 

 

 
 
The specs:
 
Fit and ergonomics:
The smallest head size adjustment on the HM2’s is actually too large for me. This combined with the fact that the headband doesn’t sport any padding at all makes them sit loose on the top of my head and wiggling slightly when I’m moving around. I’d also imagine that the lack of headband padding could make the uncomfortable for those with a bigger head than mine where the headband actually rests on the top of the head.
 
As already mentioned the build is mostly plastic and this helps keeping them very light which I find to be an important feature on a portable can.
 
The HM2 can also be folded together to a quite compact size and with the included travel case they're very convenient when travelling. 
 
Sound:
I’ve used these back and forward for the last couple of months and they’ve played for well over 100 hours. I’ve used them both around the house and when out and about and I haven’t really found any significant weaknesses in the way they’re designed.
 
I’ve used them with my LG G3 phone and the CEntrance DACport Slim and they’ve worked very well with both of them.
 
Demo list:
 
The overall sound signature on the HM2 is warm, smooth, intimate and bassy.
 
The bass is the most noticeable part of the sound from the HM2. Unfortunately it’s more mid-bass than sub bass presence. The bass does also bleed into the other frequencies more than I would have preferred. The strong bass presence makes the whole presentation lack some air and overall sound is quite dark and a bit muffled.
 
The midrange is partly overshadowed by the bass and female vocals feel distant while male vocals are a bit more forward (but still recessed) in the mix. The overall full sound gives a nice weight to male voices.
 
The treble is nice and full without any hint of sibilance. Although the top-end sparkle’s not the most noticeable and the treble rolls of a bit earlier than I prefer I still find them to have a nice non-intrusive treble presentation.
 
Clarity and micro details are less than average for a headphone in this price point. There’s also a bit of hollowness to the sound that I really don’t like.
 
In all I find the sound from the HM2 to lack some excitement and be to warm and intimate for my preference.
 
Comparison:
Please note that the comments in the comparison section are not in absolute terms but in comparison between subject A and B. This means (as an example) that if subject A is found to be brighter than subject B it does not necessarily mean that subject A is bright sounding in absolute terms. I hope this makes sense.
 
Takstar Pro80 ($50) vs Brainwavz HM2:
The Takstar Pro80’s are my all time favorite closed headphone and can be had for such a low price as $50 if you get them without the carrying case. Compared to the HM2 the Pro80’s has a much more airy presentation with better detail retrieval but also a brighter signature. The Pro80’s has about the same, or even slightly better, sub-bass extension but way less mid-bass impact and bloom. The overall balance is noticeable better on the Pro80’s.
 
I find the Pro80’s to be more comfortable but its cable length makes it less ideal for portable usage.
 
The Pro80’s are significantly harder to drive.
 
Isolation is better with the Pro80’s.
 
Superlux HD662f ($50) vs Brainwavz HM2:
Compared to the HM2 the HD662f’s has a bigger soundstage in all directions. The overall sound is also much more balanced but also brighter.  The Superlux’s has better treble extension and none of them are prone to sibilance. Superlux has a bit less subbass and noticeable less mid-bass impact, they also have a much cleaner sound.
 
I find the HD662f’s to be more comfortable but its size and cable length makes it less ideal for portable usage.
 
The Superlux’s are significantly easier to drive.
 
Isolation is pretty similar between the two.
 
Summary:
All together I find the Brainwavz HM2 to be a decent offering at its price. It has a nice build quality and the included two cables and the great case feel as a good accessory pack given the low price. Although the sound doesn’t hold up to the competitors in the comparison section and really isn’t my preferred signature I’d still say that they’re a good value as a total package for a portable offering with its leighweight and foldable design.

The Burson Audio Supreme Sound (SS) Opamp V5 was sent to me by Burson Audio to be a part of my Matrix M-stage HPA-1 review. However I’m so fascinated by this product that I think it deserves its own review as well. Those of you that have already read my HPA-1 review may recognize a lot of the things said here from that review.  I’d also like to send a big THANK YOU to Burson Audio and Dennis for letting me check out the SS V5 and answering all my questions about it.
 
The SS V5 is available in two different configurations: one with a single op amp circuit and one with a dual. Since the M-stage uses a dual op amp that’s what I received.
 
The SSV5 are available on eBay or directly from the Burson Audio website:  
http://www.bursonaudio.com/products/supreme-sound-opamp-v5/
 
I’m not in any way affiliated with Burson Audio.
 

The SS V5 is delivered i a premium package
 
 

Short introduction to Burson Audio:
Burson Audio is an Australia based company founded in 1996.  They’ve specialized in making headphone amplifier and amp/DAC combos, stereo amplifiers and op amps using discrete circuits.
 
This is what says themselves about their philosophy:
Our philosophy is simple; the less our components interfere with the audio signal the more complete your musical experience. This is our core design philosophy since we began in 1996. If our equipment is designed well and transparent enough — and it is — then the pace, rhythm, timing dynamics and tonality becomes a natural expression of the music. We feel this can never be achieved with standard circuit building blocks like IC chip op-amps, IC regulators, or even standard transformers. Instead we research and develop customized discrete circuits specifically to suit their applications. Only then does each and every component in the signal path perform at its peak. And only then will the end result match our expectations.
 
About me:
Demo list:t
 
Compatibility:
The Burson Audio SS V5 is a discrete op amp that’s compatible with a lot of the common op amps out there. As already mentioned it comes in two different configurations (single and dual) so the first thing you need to do is to find out if it’s at all a drop in replacement for your existing op amp in the device where you plan to use it with. To do this I’d recommend visiting the Burson Audio website through the link on the top of this review where they list a lot of common op amps that the SS V5 is a direct replacement for. You will also need to know whether you need two single or one dual (or even more depending on your device) of them. The price for two single ones is the same as for one dual. If you’ve got any questions whatsoever just ask them. From my experience they’re very knowledgeable.
 
The SS V5 measures 12.4mm X 14.5mm X 29mm (0.48 in x 0.57 x 1.4 in) so you will also need to make sure that it fits in your device. Especially the height may be a challenge in some devices (in my Little Dot I+ this was a problem). As for the M-stage it fits perfectly after the 8DIP adapter is removed.
 
Please also make sure that you put the op amp in the socket in the right direction. There should be markings on both your old and new ones showing which way to be inserted.
 
All Burson Audio op amps come with a lifetime warranty.
 

The SS V5 mounted in the Matrix M-stage HPA-1
 
Comparison:
For this comparison I’ve used the Matrix M-stage amplifier fed from my Advance Acoustic MDA 503 with some NOS Ei tubes in the output stage. I used me Philips Fidelio X2 and AKG Q701’s for listening.
 
The M-stage uses one dual op amp that’s mounted in a DIP8 socket and is very easily user replaceable. In general I find op amp changes to be quite subtle, especially when a/b testing with short listening sessions. I find that long time usage makes it easier to say at least which sound you prefer and which may cause more fatigue or other wanted/unwanted characteristics. Still I’d consider op amp changes fine tuning kind of in the same way as with tube changes. I’d also like to say that there are no “better” or “worse” op amps in my opinion but there may be differences in synergy with the rest of your system and of course also in what preferences one have.
 
My M-stage came with the OPA627 pre-installed. Lately I’ve acquired a MUSES8820 op amp and now also the SS V5.
 

OPA627 (top left), MUSES8820 and Burson Audio SS V5
 
This is how I hear them each and I hope that it will give a fair impression of their characteristics.
 
OPA627 (class A biased), $30:
With the OPA627 installed the warmth in the M-stage is easily noticeable but clarity and details are still in place. Focus on each instrument is excellent and the OPA 627 is the most intimate sounding among those tested here.
 
Full bodied, focused and warm is keywords for this op amp.
 
Burson Audio SS V5, $70:
With the SS V5 the black background of the M-stage is even more noticeable. There’s also more air to the presentation and the stage feels wider while still keeping the great positioning of each instrument. The more airy presentation also makes it feel less warm if that makes sense. The V5 has great extension in both ends.
 
Rich, detailed, airy and non-fatiguing is keywords for this op amp.  
 
Muses 8820, $13:
The MUSES8820 sits nicely in between the OPA 627 and SS V5 when it comes to warmth and soundstage. It has good extensions in both ends and is quite neutral.
 
Neutral and musical is keywords for this op amp.
 
I’ve also made a short breakdown of the characteristic of the three op amps I’ve compared:
 
Warmth: 627 > 8820 > V5
Black background: V5 > 627 = 8820
Soundstage: V5 > 8820 > 627
Extension: V5 > 8820 > 627
Airy presentation: V5 > 8820 > 627
Separation: V5 > 8820 = 627
 
Once again these differences are not big but it’s how I hear them with my ears in my system. That being said it’s no doubt that I prefer the Burson offering over the others for long term listening because of its very musical, natural and non-fatiguing presentation.
 
Summary:
The Burson Audio SS V5 is just an op amp. Despite of this it has been an eye opener for me in how there’s possible to fine tune the sound on your existing amplifier (or DAC) to suit your system, headphones and preferences. The first time that I put the SS V5 in my M-stage there were no doubt that it was a noticeable change in sound from the OPA627 that I’ve used in it for a long time. If it’s for the better or worse it depends on what you prefer. Whether it’s worth $70 or not will also be up to you to decide. For me it took one of my favorite amplifiers to the next level and has made me stop looking for my next amplifier purchase, at least for now
 
To moderators: I couldn't find a more suited place to post this so if it's in the wrong section please feel free to move it. 

The M-stage HPA-1 was purchased by me from an eBay seller about a year ago for $180 including a class A biased OPA627 op amp.
 
The HPA-1 was the first generation in the M-stage series and have since then been followed by the HPA-2 and the quite recently released HPA-3. The HPA-1 was released back in 2010 but I still think that it offers enough interesting features to be worthy of a review in 2016.
 
The HPA-1 came with one version without built in DAC (the one that I’ve got) and one with built in DAC. Both were available in black and silver so a total of four different offerings were available. To my understanding the original version with USB is no long available (but generation 2 and 3 is) while the pure amplifier version is.
 
The HPA-1 is still available from several sellers and here’s a link to the Amazon listing of it:
 
http://www.amazon.com/Matrix-m-stage-HPA-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B0056ER22E
 
I’m not in any way affiliated with Matrix.
 

 
 
Short introduction to Matrix Electronic:
Matrix Electronic Technology Co. Ltd., located in Xi'an Economic and Technological Development Zone, is a high-tech enterprise that dedicates to the R&D, manufacture, marketing and sales of high-fidelity digital audio products. The company has its own digital audio brand; meanwhile, it also collaborates with a number of domestic and foreign companies on OEM and ODM business.
 
Homepage:
http://www.matrix-digi.com/en/index.html
 
About me:
Built:
The Matrix M-stage HPA-1 is a solid state headphone amplifier.  
 
The HPA-1 is literally built as a tank. It’s made of metal and feels very reliable both in outer- and inner- design. It really feels like a non-nonsense product built to last for a long time.
 
The physical design of the HPA-1 (long in depth and short in width) is a not typical one and this may be a problem for people preferring to stack their gear.
 
The volume knob does also feel very solid and has a perfect amount of resistance when being moved to raise or lower the volume.
 
The HPA-1 offers two RCA inputs where you connect your sources and one RCA output for its pre-amp function. It also has a 6.3 mm jack to connect the headphones to.
 
To continue it also offers a switch to choose which of the line in sources to listen to and underneath it also has gain switches. The gain switch can be put to four different options: 0, 10, 18 and 20dB. I really like to have four gain options to choose from. This was the reason for me choosing the HPA-1 over the newer HPA-2 when I made my purchase. Finally there’s also an On/Off switch which, unfortunately, is placed on the back and makes it a bit hard to reach when placed in a rack.
 

Op amp socket with the Burson Audio SS V5 in place

Gain switch

Four different gain settings

Under the hood

With the lid in place

The back
 
The specs:
·         Output: discrete
·         Gain Switchable
·         Frequency Response: 10 Hz (-0.3dB) ~ 35kHz (-1dB)
·         Signal to Noise Ratio: >95dB (0dB)
·         Distortion: <0.001% (6 mW/300 Ohms)
·         Input Impedance: 47 kOhms
·         Output Impedance: Line-out 60 Ohms, Phone-out 5 Ohms
·         Output Power: 200 mW/300 Ohms, 400 mW/60 Ohms
·         Power Support: AC 220-240V/100-120V 
·         Front Panel Color: Black/Silver
·         Weight: 2 kg
·         Device Dimension: 280 x 110 x 42mm
 
Sound:
I’ve used the M-stage on and off for the last year and it have played for well over 100 hours.  
 
I’ve fed it from my Advance Acoustic MDA503, the GO720 and the CEntrance DACport Slim and it has worked very well in all combinations.
 
Demo list:
 
I’ve got to be honest and admit that I find it pretty difficult to describe the sound from an amplifier. To me the sound of headphones/IEM’s is more easy to describe than that of amplifiers and DAC’s. Because of this I’ll do a brief description of the overall sound from the HPA-1 and then compare it to a couple of other amplifiers to highlight the difference and similarities to them.
 
The first thing that I noticed when I started to listen to the M-stage was the black background. It was simply on another level than I’ve ever heard before. It sounds so calm and with great authority to everything it does. I don’t feel that it does not highlight any particular frequencies but the overall sound is full and slightly on the warm side. Although it doesn’t sound very vivid it doesn’t strike me as particularly laid back either, neutral with a warm tone would probably be the best way I can describe it. The extension in both ends is very good and I don’t think that anything is missing. Soundstage feels natural and separation is very good. While some amplifiers with wide soundstage can tend to sound slightly diffuse (combined with some headphones) I don’t find this to be the case at all with the HPA-1 and it’s very easy to hear the position of each instrument. I’d characterize the overall signature as full, distinct, slightly warm and with an excellent timbre to it. 
 
Op amp rolling:
The M-stage uses one dual op amp that’s mounted in a DIP8 socket and is very easily user replaceable. I general I find op amp changes to be quite subtle, especially when a/b testing with short listening sessions. I find that long time usage makes it easier to say at least which sound you prefer and which may cause more fatigue or other wanted/unwanted characteristics from the different op amps. Still I’d consider op amp changes fine tuning kind of in the same way as with tube changes. In short the Matrix M-stage will always sound like the Matrix M-stage but smaller adjustments are possible. I’d also like to say that there are no “better” or “worse” op amps in my opinion but there may be differences in synergy with the rest of your system and of course also in what preferences one have.
 
As I’ve already mentioned my HPA-1 came with the OPA627 pre-installed. Lately I’ve acquired a MUSES8820 op amp and Burson have been so kind to send me a sample of their Dual Supreme Sound (SS) V5 op amp for my shoot out. Big thanks to Dennis at Burson Audio for the support of my little project and for putting up with all of my questions.
 
For those interested in reading more about the latest generation of the Burson op amps (V5) here’s the link to their site with more information:
http://www.bursonaudio.com/products/supreme-sound-opamp-v5/
 
I've also posted a review for the Burson Audio SS V5 with more detailed information about it. Those who's interested can find it here:
http://www.head-fi.org/products/burson-audio-supreme-sound-opamp-v5/reviews/15046
 
 

On top OPA 627, below MUSES8820, on the right Burson Audio SS V5

Premium product in premium package
 
OPA627 (class A biased), $30:
With the OPA627 installed the warmth in the HPA-1 is easily noticeable but clarity and details are still in place. Focus on each instrument is excellent and the OPA 627 is the most intimate sounding among those tested here.
 
Full bodied, focused and warm is keywords for this op amp.
 
Burson Audio SS V5, $70:
With the SS V5 the black background of the HPA-1 is even more noticeable. There’s also more air to the presentation and the stage feels wider while still keeping the great positioning of each instrument. The more airy presentation also makes it feel less warm if that makes sense. The V5 has great extension in both ends.
 
Rich, detailed and airy is keywords for this op amp.  
 
Muses 8820, $13:
The MUSES8820 sits nicely in between the OPA 627 and SS V5 when it comes to warmth and soundstage. It has good extensions in both ends and is quite neutral.
 
Neutral and yet very musical is keywords for this op amp.
 
I’ve also made a short breakdown of the characteristic of the three op amps I’ve compared:
 
Warmth: 627 > 8820 > V5
Black background: V5 > 627 = 8820
Soundstage: V5 > 8820 > 627
Extension: V5 > 8820 > 627
Airy presentation: V5 > 8820 > 627
Separation: V5 > 8820 = 627
 
Once again these differences are not big but it’s how I hear them with my ears in my system. That being said it’s no doubt that I prefer the Burson offering over the others for long term listening.
 
Matching:
The output impedance of the headphone out on the HPA-1 is rated to 5 ohms. This means that it may not be the ideal pairing with very easy to drive headphones and IEM’s. In theory it should be paired with headphones that has an impedance of 40Ohms or greater to perform its best.
 
The HPA-1 has plenty of power to drive all my full sized headphones, even my modded Fostex T50RP’s, which are the most demanding pairs I’ve got in terms of power, get more than enough power from the 10dB gain setting. The official power rating of the M-stage is 400 mW at 60 Ohms and 200 mW at 300Ohms so it should be enough for most headphones.
 
AKG Q701:
The combination of the HPA-1 and the Q’s are a match made in heaven in my opinion. The slight warmth and power from the M-stage really bring out the best from the Q’s. Bass is as impactful as I’ve ever heard with them and the overall presentation is very enjoyable. Also the great positioning and separation of the M-stage seem to work very well with the Q’s which can be a bit diffused with some sources in my opinion.
 
Grado SR325is:
Although the Grado’s only have an impedance of 32Ohms I find them to sound excellent combined with the M-stage. The slight warmth combined with the full and calm presentation seems to pair very well with the lively nature of the Grado’s giving them a very pleasant and enjoyable overall sound.
 
Philips Fidelio X2:
Although the X2’s certainly doesn’t sound bad with the M-stage it’s the only headphone that I enjoy even more with the Little Dot I+. I don’t know if it’s the 30Ohms impedance of the X2’s or the full and warm nature  of the HPA-1 that’s to blame but on some recordings the bass get slightly too much for my preference. After spending a lot of time (and money) on different tubes and op amps for the LD I+ to make them perfect for the X2’s I’ve settled on a combination of Siemens 6AK5W tubes and the MUSES8820 op amp that really bring the X2’s to the next level for me. The midrange is more forward and mid-bass slightly reduced compared to the HPA-1.
 
Comparison:
Please note that the comments in the comparison section are not in absolute terms but in comparison between subject A and B. This means (as an example) that if subject A is found to be brighter than subject B it does not necessarily mean that subject A is bright sounding in absolute terms. I hope this makes sense.
 
I this comparison both amplifiers were fed by the Advance Acoustic MDA503 DAC equipped with Ei NOS tubes in the output stage. I’ve been listening through my Philips Fidelio X2’s.
 
I used a simple Android app to volume match the amplifiers so although maybe not perfectly scientifically the result should still be pretty correct.
 
I used the M-stage with the Burson SS V5 installed when doing this section.
 

 
 
Little Dot I+ vs HPA-1:
The LD I+ ($140) is smaller than the HPA-1 and has a built in power supply solution just like the HPA-1.
 
As already mentioned I’ve settled on a Siemens/MUSES combo of tubes and op amp for the LD I+ and that’s what I’ve used it with in this comparison as well.
 
Being a tube/solid state hybrid the LD I+ introduce some noise with easy to drive IEM’s that makes it not match the HPA-1 in the level of black background. Compared to the M-stage the LD I+ have a more forward midrange and a very slightly less warm sound with a more lively presentation. The M-stage on the other hand feels more even across the frequencies and also slightly fuller and with more authority to the way it sounds.
 
The HPA-1 offers a bit higher power output (200 mW for the HPA-1 vs 150mW for the LD I+ at 300Ohms). The LD I+ also offers a gain switch for 3.25 or 6.5 dB compared to the HPA-1’s four different settings (0, 10, 18 and 20dB).  Unfortunately the output impedance of the LD I+ seem to be unknown except for the fact that it’s said to be made for low impedance headphones. The LD I+ has one pair of RCA inputs while the HPA-1 offers two and one set of outputs for pre-amp function. 
 
Schiit Magni vs HPA-1:
The Magni ($99) is much smaller than the HPA-1 and has a power supply solution that requires a wall wart in contrast to the built in power supply on the HPA-1.
 
Compare to the M-stage the Magni has an overall slightly thinner but also cleaner presentation. While the M-stage is slightly warmer than what I’d consider to be neutral the Magni is what I’d describe as spot on neutral. The result is a slightly more full sound most easily noticeable with male vocals and also more distinct character on the M-stage. The Magni can tend to sound a bit shouty (in comparison) with some music (Michael Jackson – Dirty Diana is a good example of this). They both offer similar great sense of space, separation and bass depth. The M-stage does have a more black background.
 
The Magni also offers a slightly higher power output (260mW at 300Ohms compared to 200mW for the HPA-1) but has no gain switch and its fixed gain is very high (making it more difficult to use with easy to drive IEM’s). The Magni has a very low output impedance (less than 0.1 Ohms) compared to the slightly high 5 Ohms for the HPA-1.  The Magni offers a pair of RCA inputs while the HPA-1 offers two and one set of outputs for pre-amp function.  
 
Summary:
The Matrix M-stage HPA-1 may not be the latest addition to the amplifier market but it may very well be one of the best values with current prices.
 
The combination of four different gain options, pre amp function, two set of RCA inputs, easily user switchable op amps for fine tuning the sound and an excellent overall performance makes it a great option as long as you can live with an output impedance of 5Ohms.
 
In combination with the Burson SS V5 op amp it has become my favorite amplifier, especially when driving headphones that need a good amount of power to perform their best. 
 
This has been a project over several weeks and I've enjoyed every minute of it. Hopefully you've enjoyed reading it as well

The Zen 2.0 was sent to me from Venture Electronics (VE) a while back. I would like thank VE and Lee for letting me check out the Zen 2.0. I would also like to thank my friend Tamal for introducing me to VE in general and their amazing line up of earbuds in particular. The Zen 2.0 is available from Aliexpress:
 
http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Venture-Electronic-VE-Zen-high-impedance-320-ohms-earbud/1924356_32302987270.html
 
I’m not in any way affiliated with Venture Electronics.
 
Short introduction of Venture Electronics:
VE is a small and pretty new company, only three years old.
 
They’re located in mainland China and have fast become very popular in audiophile circles due to their line of earbuds (Monk, Asura and Zen) which offers excellent value for money.
 
The Zen 2.0 is the current flagship earbud from VE so let’s find out how it performs.
 

 

 
 
About me:
 
Built and accessories:
The VE Zen 2.0 is a single dynamic driver earbud.
 
AFAIK the Zen 2.0 is avaialble in three versions: the regular one (this is the one I've got), one with an upgraded Cardas cable and one balanced version.
 
The cable is really nice and I find it to be excellent with very little tangling, low on microphonics, soft and flexible. As a matter of fact this cable is among the best I’ve ever come across in any IEM or earbud. The plug is L-shaped the way I prefer and it feels very solid. Left/right marking is pretty easily visible. The only other thing I’m missing is a chin slider.
 
The build is all plastic but still seems very solid.  I’d also like to add that I really like both the color scheme and the built on the Zen 2.0. Everything about them looks and feel premium.
 
Since these were a review sample there was no retail package included with my pair. There were some accessories though:
1 zippered case to store them in when not in use
1 bag with donut foams covers
1 bag with foam covers
1 shirt clip
 
As far as I understand the following will be included in the sales version in addition to what’s mentioned above:
1 Pelican style case (instead of the generic zippered one that I’ve got)
1 pair of ear hooks
1 pair of the amazing VE Monk earbud
 

 

 

 

 
 
The Zen 2.0 is surprisingly easy to drive despite their 320Ohms impedance and works fine even with LG G3 phone. Isolation is pretty much none existent, after all it is an earbud.  As a matter of fact I find the lack of isolation also to be a great strength in certain situations.
 
As already mentioned the impedance of the Zen 2.0 is as high as 320Ohms but due to the rather high sensitivity (108dB @1mW) they’re still quite easy to drive. That being said I do find them to scale very well with a better source but not necessarily by more power alone.
 
The specs:
 
Fit and Ergonomics:
I’ve got to be honest and say that I’ve not used earbuds in more than 20 years before receiving the VE Monk a couple of months ago so I’m certainly not going to claim that I’m an expert on them.
 
I’ve lived with the impression that the fit of earbuds are not for me for the last 15-20 years. After receiving the Monk I was really surprised how easy they are to fit and how well they stay in my ears, the same is true for the Zen 2.0.  They’re also extremely comfortable and are certainly lighter on the ears than pretty much every IEM that I’ve tried.
 
To foam or not to foam?
While I found both the Monk and the original Zen to sound their best with donut foams applied I prefer the Zen 2.0 naked or with rubber rings. With foam I find them overly warm and not airy enough but as usual YMMV and there are plenty of options to try out to find ones preferred sound and fit.
 
I do notice quite a difference in the sound by the way the Zen 2.0 sits in my ear so it might be worth playing around a bit to find the sweet spot for your preference.
 
Sound:
I’ve used these quite a lot for the last couple of weeks and they’ve played for well over 100 hours.  
I received the original Zen together with the Zen 2.0 for comparison sake. To understand more about what the Zen’s all about I started to use only the original Zen for a couple of days before moving on to listen to the Zen 2.0.
 
I’ve used the Zen 2.0 with my LG G3 phone, the SHOZY Lancea paired with Venture Electronics own amplifier the RunAbout (my review of it is available here: http://www.head-fi.org/products/venture-electronics-ve-runabout-portable-amplifier/reviews/14527 ) and in my main system with the Advance Acoustic MDA503 tube DAC feeding my Matrix M-stage.
 
Demo list:
 
The overall sound signature is well balanced, smooth and slightly on the warm side. It has a lot of characteristics that I usually associate with open full size headphones and that suit my preferences very well.
 
The Zen 2.0 does lack some extension in the sub-bass region and don’t go as deep as I’d like with some music. Apart from this the quality of the bass is very good. Mid- and upper-bass is clean and clear with a slight lift but absolutely no bleed into the midrange. The bass quantity is enough to keep them from sounding thin and both male voices and guitars sound full and natural with them.
 
The midrange is well in balance with the rest of the frequencies. In total the vocal reproduction on both male and female artist is very good. The midrange is really liquid and smooth making for a very enjoyable and easy listening.
 
The treble is full and smooth and despite having zero sibilance it doesn’t sound too rolled off either.
 
Soundstage in all directions is larger than what one can expect from the average IEM but a bit smaller than you’d expect from a full size open headphone. Clarity, micro details and separation is also very good.
 
What strikes me the most with the way the Zen 2.0 though is how extremely pleasant and non-fatiguing they sound overall. No disturbing peaks anywhere, not to bright nor to dark just pure excellence.    
 
Comparison:
Please note that the comments in the comparison section are not in absolute terms but in comparison between subject A and B. This means (as an example) that if subject A is found to be brighter than subject B it does not necessarily mean that subject A is bright sounding in absolute terms. I hope this makes sense.
 

The VE trio, from top to bottom: Zen, Monk and Zen 2.0

From the left: Zen, Monk and Zen 2.0
 
VE Monk vs VE Zen 2.0
In this comparison the Monk is used with foam donuts while the Zen 2.0 is used naked. The reason for this is simply because this is the way I feel that they each perform their best so it seems the most fair to me.
 
Compared to the Zen 2.0 the Monk has more sub-bass, an overall fuller sound and a smaller soundstage. The Zen 2.0 on the other hand offers a more airy presentation and a more detailed and refined overall sound. Comparing these two feels more like comparing a great open to a great closed headphone (Zen 2.0 being the open one), rather than comparing two earbuds with a $130 price difference.  Although the Zen 2.0 is the better sounding to me the difference is no way near that what the price would imply and this is certainly not due to the Zen 2.0 being bad value for money but rather to the Monk being probably the best value in head-fi ever.
 
The Zen 2.0 is slightly harder to drive and feels overall more solid built and in my opinion also looks nicer.
 
VE Zen vs VE Zen 2.0
In this comparison the Zen is used with foam donuts while the Zen 2.0 is used naked. The reason for this is simply because this is the way I feel that they each perform their best so it seems the most fair to me.
 
Compared to the 2.0 the original Zen has more bass impact (especially sub-bass), a slightly smaller soundstage and an overall less refined sound. The Zen 2.0 has got a more airy presentation. While there’s not a night and day difference between these two it’s no doubt to me that the updated version (2.0) is indeed the better sounding and a worthy replacement to the original version.
 
The original Zen is slightly harder to drive while the Zen 2.0 feels overall more solid built and in my opinion also looks much nicer.
 
To sum up the comparison section I think that the Zen 2.0 is indeed the best sounding among the three while the Monk is the best value. The original Zen is also excellent but it’s got a worthy replacement.
 
Summary:
The Zen 2.0 is truly an upgrade to the highly praised original Zen not only in built and looks but also in sound.
 
It offers the most non fatiguing listening experience I’ve ever come across in my head-fi life this far both IEM’s and full sized headphones included . The only thing I could possible wish for would be a bit more sub-bass impact but I wouldn’t want to trade anything else to get it. That being said I still enjoy them tremendously and they quite easily outperform most of the IEM’s I’ve ever heard soundwise.      
 
Thank you Lee and KK at Venture Electronic for making this amazing sound available to us and for letting me review it. 

The CEntrance DACport Slim was purchased by me on the first drop for it on Massdrop.
 
The DACport Slim is only available through Massdrop:
 
https://www.massdrop.com/buy/centrance-dacport-slim-amp-dac-combo
 
I’m not in any way affiliated with Massdrop or CEntrance.
 

 

 
 
About me:
I’m a 43 year old music and sound lover that changed my focus from speakers to headphones and IEM’s about five years ago. At that time I realized that it wasn’t realistic for me to have all the different setups that I wanted and still house a family of four children and a wife so my interest turned first to full sized headphones and later also IEM’s.
 
My preferences are towards full sized open headphones and I believe that also says something about what kind of sound signature I prefer (large soundstage in all directions, balanced and organic sound).
 
My music preferences are pretty much all over the place (only excluding classical music, jazz and really heavy metal). My all-time favorite band is Depeche Mode although I also listen to a lot of grunge/indie, singer/songwriter/acoustical stuff as well as the typical top 40 music.
 
I do not use EQ, ever.
 
I’m a sucker for value for money on most things in life Head-Fi related stuff is no exception.
 
Built and accessories:
The CEntrance DACport Slim is a combined USB DAC and headphone amplifier designed to be used with computers and laptops.
 
The chassis on the Slim is made out of aluminum and the overall construction of the unit feels very solid without anything feeling loose or creating unwanted noises. The volume control is made of plastic but still feels very solid. Although the volume control offers some resistance I’d preferred even a bit more since I occasionally have managed to turn the volume up unintended.  The gain switch needs to be accessed with something thin to be changed but I’d much rather have it in that way than it being too easy to move unintentionally.
 
I really appreciate the fact that the Slim has a physical volume control on it. I hate having to change the volume on a slider on my laptop and think this feature makes it a much more versatile device both for use at home and in the office.
 

 

Gain switch

Combined headhone and line out

Volume knob and micro USB port

Under the hood
 
Compatibility:
The Slim officially supports Mac, Linux and Windows. Apparently some people are having issues using it with Windows 10. I’ve used mine with two different laptops running Windows 7 and it works great with both through both USB 3.0 and 2.0 ports. It also works pretty well with Android devices. It runs fine with the third party app USB Audio Player Pro (UAPP) without any extra power from my LG G3 phone and it also works with UAPP from my old Nexus 7 tablet but only if connected to an external battery. The Slim has a class A amplifier in it which means it draws quite a bit og power when connected to the phone though and from my basic research it drain the battery with about 5% on an average song. This means, that to me, this is not really a good way to use it. With a power bank attached it works great though. From what I’ve read people also use it with Apple devices connected through the Camera Connection Kit.
 
The Slim support sample rates up to 24bit/192kHz. Although I’m not personally much into hi-resolution music I’d still have liked DSD to be supported as well. The way it’s now you need put $200 on the table and get the DACport HD if you need DSD support.   
 
Despite being really small the Slim pack pretty much power. The Slim is rated to output a total of maximum 450Mw but unfortunately I’ve not been able to understand at what load this is measured at. What I can say though is that it drives all headphones that I own with ease, even the notoriously hard to drive modded Fostex T50RP’s. The amplifier stage is class A and the Sim does run a bit warm, still nothing more than that. In comparison the Geek Out 720 is really hot. The performance of the amplifier is good enough for me to not pair the Slim with other amplifiers most of the time. 
 
My Slim arrived without any accessories whatsoever but after about a week a cheap USB to micro USB cable that supposedly should’ve been included came in the mail. As far as I understand the cable is now included in the package.
 
The specs:
Headphone Amplifier

1. 3.5mm jack, headphone or line out
2. Direct Class-A, no caps signal path
3. 2.9V rms max output level
4. 450 mW max output power
5. 1 Ohm output impedance
6. 20 dB gain switch between min and max
7. 3" (7.6cm) x 1.1" (2.9cm) x 0.4" (1.1cm)

D/A Converter

1. Plays 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz sample rates
2. 16 and 24 bit resolution support
3. Asynchronous USB connection
4. Lowest jitter clock, no PLL used
5. Compatible with Mac, Linux and PC
6. Frequency Response - 20 Hz-40 kHz
7. 109 dB dynamic range
8. 0.003% THD+N

Weight - 2.5 oz (72g)
 
Sound:
I’ve used the Slim quite a lot during the last couple of months and it has played for well over 100 hours.  
 
I’ve combined it with my LG G3 phone, Nexus 7 tablet and two laptops running Windows 7 and it has worked very well with all combinations.
 
Demo list:
Mark Knopfler – Sailing to Philadelphia
Røyksopp (Feat.Susanne Sundfør) – Save Me
Ane Brun – These Days
Michael Jackson – Dirty Diana
Metallica – Die Die My Darling
The Peter Malick Group – Immigrant
Eva Cassidy – Songbird
Thomas Dybdahl – A Lovestory
Norah Jones – Don’t Know Why
Celldweller – Unshakeable
Jack Johnson – Better Together
Seinabo Sey – Younger (Kygo remix)
Dire Straits- So Far Away
Bjørk - Moon
Lupe Fiasco - Deliver
Morrissey – Earth Is the Loneliest Planet
 
I’ve got to be honest and admit that I find it pretty difficult to describe the sound from DAC’s. To me the sound of headphones and IEM’s are easier to describe than that of amplifiers and DAC’s. Because of this I’ll do a brief description of the overall sound from the Slim and then compare it to a couple of other amplifiers to highlight the difference and similarities to them.
 
The CEntrance DACport Slim got less bas presence compared to most, if not all, other DAC’s I’ve got but despite of this it doesn’t sound thin in any way. Sub-bass reaches low and the overall sound is what I’d describe as neutral as well as very natural. I don’t find it to be neither warm nor cold in its character. As already mentioned soundstage width is excellent and I would almost say that it’s slightly laid back in its presentation. All of this together makes for a effortless presentation that’s very easy to enjoy.
 
I do find the Slim to pair best with warmer sounding headphones and IEM’s but it sounds good with everything I’ve tried it with.
 
Comparison:
Please note that the comments in the comparison section are not in absolute terms but in comparison between subject A and B. This means (as an example) that if subject A is found to be brighter than subject B it does not necessarily mean that subject A is bright sounding in absolute terms. I hope this makes sense.
 
I this comparison both DAC/amp combos where fed by different laptops both running Mediamonkey with the exact same settings and I was listening to through my Philips Fidelio X2’s and ATH-CKR9’s.
 
I used a splitter/switch box to easily switch between the two units being compared and a simple Android app to volume match them.
 

Size comaprison. Top to bottom Geek Out 720, DACport Slim, SHOZY Lancea
 
Geek Out 720 vs DACport Slim:
Compared to the Slim the GO720 ($169) has more bass presence, especially in the mid- and higher bass giving it more drive in the music but also a more intimate presentation. Sub-bass is quite similar with both. The less bass presence on the Slim gives a perception of better separation, a less in your face presentation and a bigger stage.  Switching from one to another makes the GO720 feel a bit sluggish and bassy in comparison. The difference in sound between these two is quite easy to hear and some of the biggest I’ve come across when comparing DAC/amp combos and the GO720 is definitely fuller but also more congested sounding.
 
The GO720 is slightly bigger compared to the Slim and it connects to the computer with a male USB A connector while the Slim has a female micro USB for the same purpose.
 
The GO720 offers two 3,5mm outputs, one with 0,47Ohm and one with 47Ohm while the Slim has a gain switch. Both devices offer a line out functionality by maxing out the volume, the GO on the 47Ohm output and the Slim on the low gain setting.
 
Both have class A amplifiers and both run hot, the GO more so than the Slim but it’s also the most powerful of the two.
 
The Slim has a physical volume button while this feature unfortunately was removed from the GO720 in a firmware update.
 
None of these are really suited to be paired with Android without the use of an external battery due to their severe battery drain.
 
Both are very quiet (no background hiss) even with the 12Ohm CKR9’s.
 
The GO720 support up to 32bit/384kHz and DSD (up to 64/128) while the Slim only support up to 24bit/192kHz.
 
The choice between these two comes down to what kind of sound you like and what headphones/IEM’s you plan to pair it with. The GO720 is also quite a bit more powerful and support higher bitrates.
 
SHOZY Lancea vs DACport Slim:
The SHOZY Lancea ($179) and the Slim share more of their tonality than the GO720 and the Slim does. That being said the Lancea also has much more bass presence than the Slim but still manage to retain the same sense of space. The Slim sound cleaner due to lesser bass and also more natural and less diffuse to my ears. Switching between the two there’s no doubt that although the bass on the Lancea doesn’t necessarily reach deeper it definitely hits harder and has more presence.
 
The Lancea is much smaller that the slim, maybe about a quarter of its size and just like the Slim it’s connected to the source through a female micro USB port.
 
Both have a single 3,5mm output and both offers a line out function when maxing out the volume.
 
The Lancea runs much cooler than the Slim but also offer much less power.
 
The Slim has a physical volume control while the Lancea doesn’t.
 
The Lance is very well suited to be paired with Android devices due to its lesser power demands and high compatibility with such devices
 
Both are very quiet (no background hiss) even with the 12Ohm CKR9’s.
 
The Lancea supports up to 20bit/48kHz sample rate while the Slim supports up to 24bit/192kHz.
 
The choice between these two does not only comes down to what of sound you’re looking for but also how you intend to use it. The Lancea is very well suited to be paired with phones and tablets in addition to a computer or lap top while this might not be the most convenient with the Slim. The Slim on the other hand offers a lot more power, support higher bitrates and offers a physical volume control.
 
As already mentioned I find it really hard to find significant differences between well designed and built DAC’S/amplifiers but the differences mentioned above does most definitely exist.
 
Summary:
What CEntrance and Massdrop have accomplished together here is a fantastic performer at a ridiculously low price. For $99 you get a great DAC paired with an equally great amplifier section putting out amazing sound quality and plenty of power for all IEM’s and most headphones. In addition you get a hardware volume control that feel reliable and a very small form factor.
 
I think it’s safe to say that the CEntrance DACport Slim has really impressed me, not only with its fantastic performance but also with its amazing value.
 
Anyone looking for a clean and clear sound with an effortless presentation and a small form factor should check out the Slim.

The Runabout was sent to me as a review unit from Venture Electronics (VE) a while back. I would like to thank VE and Lee for giving me the chance to check out the Runabout. The Runabout is available from Aliexpress:
 
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Venture-Electronics-VE-RunAbout-Portable-Earphone-Amplifier/32417419249.html?spm=2114.01020208.3.2.q0oued&ws_ab_test=searchweb201556_9_79_78_77_91_80,searchweb201644_5,searchweb201560_9
 
I’m not in any way affiliated with Venture Electronics.
 

 

 
Short introduction of Venture Electronics:
VE is a small and pretty new company, only three years old.
 
They’re located in mainland China and have fast become very popular in audiophile circles due to their line of earbuds (Monk, Asura and Zen) which offers excellent value for money.
 
About me:
I’m a 43 year old music and sound lover that changed my focus from speakers to headphones and IEM’s about five years ago. At that time I realized that it wasn’t realistic for me to have all the different setups that I wanted and still house a family of four children and a wife so my interest turned first to full sized headphones and later also IEM’s.
 
My preferences are towards full sized open headphones and I believe that also says something about what kind of sound signature I prefer (large soundstage in all directions, balanced and organic sound).
 
My music preferences are pretty much all over the place (only excluding classical music, jazz and really heavy metal). My all-time favorite band is Depeche Mode although I also listen to a lot of grunge/indie, singer/songwriter/acoustical stuff as well as the typical top 40 music.
 
I do not use EQ, ever.
 
I’m a sucker for value for money on most things in life Head-Fi related stuff is no exception.
 
Built and accessories:
The VE Runabout is a battery driven (9v) semi-portable headphone amplifier.  
 
The Runabout is named after a kind of starships in Star Trek (Runabouts are a class of small, multi-purpose starships in the Star Trek science-fiction franchise, source Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Runabout_(Star_Trek)).
 
Since my Runabout was a review unit it arrived to me without a retail package and accessories.
 
Please note that I’ve put on the carbon film myself to protect the Runabout from scratches.
 
There’s no denying that the Runabout is literally built as a tank. It’s made of metal that’s very solid and it feels as if it should withstand any abuse it could possibly be put through.
 
High/Low gain and On/Off switches does also feel solid and reliable.
 
The volume knob does also feel very solid and has a perfect amount of resistance when being moved to raise or lower the volume.
 
The Runabout offers a 3.5 mm input where you connect your source and a 3.5 mm jack to connect the headphones to.
 
When pairing it with my LG G3 phone I’ve not been able to detect any EMI noise whatsoever.
 
VE has chosen a solution with a replaceable 9v battery. I feel that this is kind of a two egged sword: On one hand it helps to give the Runabout it’s black background and gives about 30 hour of usage with the possibility to just put in a new (fully charged) battery when the old one dies (compared to maybe 8 hours of usage and 3-4 hours of charging with an internal lithium battery). On the other hand it makes the design more bulky and requires for the user to make sure he/she has the batteries needed to use it.
 
As already mentioned the size of the Runabout makes it less ideal for portable use and more suited to use around the house or when reaching your destination if you bring it on a trip.
 
Unfortunately the Runabout cannot be used with electricity so the 15v DC input on the back is just for internal charging of the 9v battery and the Runabout should not be used while charging. VE (and me too for that matter) suggest to use an external 9v battery charger due to safer charging and to minimalize the risk of the Runabout being harmed by the user connecting the wrong power adapter or other potential problems that might occur.
 
It’s also worth mentioning that the dual JRC 455AD op amps are socket mounted so that they can be easily user replaced. I only had one other drop in replacement op amp available (LM4562) and did try it out but preferred the stock one so that’s what I’ve used during this review.
 

Behind door number one we've got the battery......

....and behind door number two the board......

....with the.......

....swappable op amps. 
 
The specs:
• Output voltage swing 3V RMS, 32ohm 150mW / 300ohm 55mW
• Low-gain 3.4 times, 5.7 times higher gain
• TI TLE2426, BUF634, JRC 4556AD
• VISHAY wafer chip resistors and MBB0207 series resistance
• BC Low ESR high current filter capacitor, opa pins SMD AVX tantalum decoupling
• Handpicked BI potentiometer
• Taiwan SH gold seal power switch, (life span=100k times), gain adjustment switch using     Japanese OTAX small sealed switch
• TYCO fully shielded headphone jack
• KEYSTONE 590 battery shrapnel
• All RC components are hand-picked +SMIC soldering
 
Sound:
I’ve used the Runabout on and off for the last couple of months and it have played for well over 100 hours.  
 
I’ve combined it with my LG G3 phone, the GO720, the FiiO X3 and the CEntrance DACport Slim and it has worked very well in all combinations.
 
Demo list:
Mark Knopfler – Sailing to Philadelphia
Røyksopp (Feat.Susanne Sundfør) – Save Me
Ane Brun – These Days
Michael Jackson – Dirty Diana
Metallica – Die Die My Darling
The Peter Malick Group – Immigrant
Eva Cassidy – Songbird
Thomas Dybdahl – A Lovestory
Norah Jones – Don’t Know Why
Celldweller – Unshakeable
Jack Johnson – Better Together
Seinabo Sey – Younger (Kygo remix)
Dire Straits- So Far Away
Bjørk - Moon
Lupe Fiasco - Deliver
Morrissey – Earth Is the Loneliest Planet
 
I’ve got to be honest and admit that I find it pretty difficult to describe the sound from an amplifier. To me the sound of headphones/IEM’s is more easy to describe than that of amplifiers and DAC’s. Because of this I’ll do a brief description of the overall sound from the Runabout and then compare it to a couple of other amplifiers to highlight the difference and similarities between them.
 
According to VE the Runabout is designed to give the best possible sound at its price when combined to VE’s own IEM the Duke and especially their Zen earbud. Both of these are quite power hungry (the Zen by far the most) and as a consequence of this the Runabout is not nessecarily the best pairing with easy to drive IEM’s (gives little room to “play” with the volume). To me it’s not really a problem that it’s not ideal to use with stuff that actually don’t need an amplifier to perform its best. I also typically don’t “play around” with the volume and I really don’t care if I get enough volume at 9 o’clock or 12 o’clock on the volume knob (again this is with stuff that doesn’t need an amplifier to start with) as long as the background is quiet and there’s no channel imbalance and the Runabout doesn’t introduce any of these issues. I do realize that this might be an issue to others though so now it’s mentioned.
 
The sound from the Runabout is spacious without feeling artificially wide. It has a great timbre to it and separation and bass reproduction is great and feels very natural to me. I’d characterize the overall signature as natural with a touch of warmth to it. 
 
Comparison:
Please note that the comments in the comparison section are not in absolute terms but in comparison between subject A and B. This means (as an example) that if subject A is found to be brighter than subject B it does not necessarily mean that subject A is bright sounding in absolute terms. I hope this makes sense.
 
I this comparison both amplifiers where fed by the line out from the CEntrance DACport Slim and I was listening to through my Philips Fidelio X2’s and ATH-CKR9’s.
 
I used a splitter box to split the signal from the Slim to the different amplifiers and a simple Android app to volume match the amplifiers.
 
Size comparison with the Cayin C5:
 

 

 

 
 
Cayin C5 vs VE Runabout:
The Cayin C5 is my all-time favorite portable amplifier. I was actually really surprised when comparing the two because they sound very similar to each other. As a matter of fact the sound is so similar that I’m pretty sure that I couldn’t even tell the two apart in a blind test. W
 
Background hiss with no music playing and the gain on low is very low with both of them when using them with easy to drive IEM’s.
 
I’m quite impressed by the fact that the $99 Runabout can put on a similar performance as the (to me) excellent value for money $159 Cayin C5.
 
Between these two it really comes down to other parameters that pure sound quality. If you’re looking for something with a high portability, the power to amp 600Ohm headphones and need a bass boost choose the C5. If you on the other hand plan to use it around the house, like 30 hour of battery time (the C5 has about 8 hours), would like to just swap the battery and continue to listen when the battery runs out and the most solid build quality is important to you go for the Runabout. Both offers a 3.5mm input to connect your source through.
 
Schiit Magni vs VE Runabout:
The Magni ($99) is about twice the size of the Runabout and runs on electricity only.
 
Compare to the Runabout the Magni has an overall slightly thinner but also cleaner presentation. While the Runabout is slightly warmer than what I’d consider to be neutral the Magni is what I’d describe as spot on neutral. The result is a slightly more full sound most easily noticeable with male vocals and also slightly more distinct character on the Runabout. The Magni can tend to sound a bit shouty (in comparison) with some music (Michael Jackson – Dirty Diana is a good example of this). They both offer similar great sense of space, separation and bass depth. The Runabout does have a more black background (especially noticeable with the easy to drive CKR9’s).
 
The choice between these two comes down to what kind of sound you like and what headphones/DAC/IEM’s you plan to pair it with. The Magni also offers a higher power output but has no gain switch and its fixed gain is very high (making it even more difficult to use with easy to drive IEM’s). The Magni offers a pair of RCA inputs while the Runabout offers a 3.5 mm input to connect your source through.
 
As already mentioned I find it really hard to find significant differences between well designed and built amplifiers and although the differences described above do exist I would certainly not call them big.
 
Summary:
The VE Runabout offers an excellent sound quality combined with superb battery life, decent power and really black background. It’s a great value for money and it pairs up absolutely amazing with VE’s only IEM this far the Duke.
 
As long as you don’t mind the bulky design (compared to other portable amps) and are fine to use a 9v battery as your power source this is surely the best sub $100 amplifier I’ve come across this far.
 
Also, how can you not love an amplifier named after a spaceship in Star Trek?
 
Now I’m just looking forward to receive the Zen and Zen 2.0 to see how they pair up with this little gem.

First of all I’d like to thank Faith Audio (Lao Song) for sending me a review sample of the LZ A2.
 
I also want to thank my friend Tamal (@RedJohn456 ) for putting these on my radar and hooking me up to review it.
 
The LZ A2’s are available from here:
 
http://faith-audio.mybigcommerce.com/
 
I’m not in any way affiliated with Faith Audio.
 

Who doesn't love some personal touch?

 
 
About me:
I’m a 43 year old music and sound lover that changed my focus from speakers to headphones and IEM’s about five years ago. At that time I realized that it wasn’t realistic for me to have all the different setups that I wanted and still house a family of four children and a wife so my interest turned first to full sized headphones and later also IEM’s.
 
My preferences are towards full sized open headphones and I believe that also says something about what kind of sound signature I prefer (large soundstage in all directions, balanced and organic sound).
 
My music preferences are pretty much all over the place (only excluding classical music, jazz and really heavy metal). My all-time favorite band is Depeche Mode although I also listen to a lot of grunge/indie, singer/songwriter/acoustical stuff as well as the typical top 40 music.
 
I do not use EQ, ever.
 
I’m a sucker for value for money on most things in life Head-Fi related stuff is no exception.
 
Built and accessories:
The LZ A2 is a hybrid in ear monitor featuring two balance armature and one 10mm dynamic driver.
 
The cable has a straight 3.5 mm connector and although it seems pretty well built I’d preferred an angled solution.
 
The cable is round and flexible. There is some microphonics but it’s not a big problem. Wearing them over the ears or using the included shirt clip makes microphonics pretty much non-existing. The chin slider is also in place just the way I like it.
 
The build in general seem solid. The housings are all metal and have a very nice weight to them. Strain relief is in place on all the crucial points and the Y-split is also solid without being overly large.
 
Left/Right markings are quite hard to spot and should’ve been easier to see. Actually they’re located on the wrong side on the housing so when you’re putting them in your ear the L/R faces away from you.
 
The retail package is actually not a retail package but rather just a zippered case holding the IEM’s and accessories.  
 
The accessories pack is ok at the price and includes the following:
3 pairs silicon tips (S,M,L)
1 pair bi-flange tips
1 pair of foam tips
1 pair of ear hooks
1 shirt clip
1 zippered case to store them in when not in use
 
The LZ A2’s are very easy to drive and worked very well with all the sources I’ve tried it with including cellphones. I don’t find them to benefit significantly from a more powerful amplifier but the do benefit from a clean source.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
The specs:
 
Fit and ergonomics:
I find the LZ A2’s to be quite comfortable and got no problem wearing them for several hours. The housings are quite wide and a bit on the heavy side but they’re still easy to insert and get a good fit with (even for me with narrow ear canals). The included tips are ok but in the end I found out that I prefer them with tips that have a wider bore.
 
Isolation is about average, maybe slightly above. I’ve used them on a couple of shorter fligths without any issues.
 
Sound:
I’ve used them back and forward in the last two weeks and they’ve played for well over 100 hours. I’ve used them both around the house and when out and about and I haven’t really found any significant weaknesses in the way they’re designed.
 
I’ve used them with my LG G3 phone as well as the CEntrance DACport Slim and the FiiO X3 and although they’ve worked very well with all of them.
 
As already mentioned I enjoy the LZ A2’s the most with wide bore tips.
 
Demo list:
Mark Knopfler – Sailing to Philadelphia
Røyksopp (Feat.Susanne Sundfør) – Save Me
Ane Brun – These Days
Michael Jackson – Dirty Diana
Metallica – Die Die My Darling
The Peter Malick Group – Immigrant
Eva Cassidy – Songbird
Thomas Dybdahl – A Lovestory
Norah Jones – Don’t Know Why
Celldweller – Unshakeable
Jack Johnson – Better Together
Seinabo Sey – Younger (Kygo remix)
Dire Straits- So Far Away
Passenger – Let Her Go
Lupe Fiasco - Deliver
Morrissey – Earth Is the Loneliest Planet
 
The overall sound signature on the LZ A2 is what I’d describe as an L-shape with a full, warm and laid back presentation.
 
The sub-bass extension is amazing and quantity is very good. At first I thought that the sub-bass didn’t have good enough layering but after more use I realized the reason for that is because they reach really, really deep (probably the deepest I’ve ever heard in an IEM actually) and at those frequencies layering is almost impossible with an IEM. Mid-bass presence is slightly more than I ideally prefer but it still only get too much on a few recordings. The mid-bass texture is similar to that of the sub-bass slightly on the slow and relaxed side. I’ve got to admit that my biggest gripe with the A2’s is with the bass though, I kind of prefer the kind of bass that’s there when it’s called for but with the A2’s there’s a kind of ever presence of bass that gives them their full and warm signature. I find this kind of bass to be a bit tiresome with some music and absolutely amazing with other.
 
Let me give you a couple of examples: Listening to Jack Johnson – Better Together or Lorde – Royals the mid-bass really comes out on the A2’s and overshadows the midrange way more than I enjoy. Put on Celldweller - Unshakable, Lupe Fiasco – Deliver or The Dark Knight OST on the other hand and audio nirvana is close.
 
The midrange is well in line with the rest of the frequencies and although it’s not very often overwhelmed by the mid and upper bass it does happen occasionally. The presentation feels nice and full in its character and they’re not recessed at all. Male vocals and string instruments sound really amazing with a nice organic sound to it as well as great timbre and weight.
 
The treble is pretty well extended but still rolls off earlier than I’d appreciate. There’s certainly a positive effect of this as well, being a very smooth presentation without any hint of sibilance. I personally enjoy a better extension and a bit more bite and details in the top end. I’m sure that a lot of people will prefer the presentation of the A2’s but to me they’re a bit too smooth.  
 
Clarity and micro details are about average for an IEM at this price point and good taking the full and warm signature into consideration. They still lose out on both of these parameters not only to the hyper detailed VE Duke but also to the ATH-CKR9/10’s. Soundstage width is average but depth, separation and 3D feeling is very good.
 
All in all the LZ A2 offers a very fun and non-fatiguing listening experience and delivers bass-head quantity bass of good quality while still remaining clarity and details on a good level as well as a mid-range that doesn’t sound recessed.
 
Comparison:
Please note that the comments in the comparison section are not in absolute terms but in comparison between subject A and B. This means (as an example) that if subject A is found to be brighter than subject B it does not necessarily mean that subject A is bright sounding in absolute terms. I hope this makes sense.
 
These comparisons were done listening from my laptop through the Geek Out720.
 
Audio-Technica CKR10 vs LZ A2:
Compared to the A2’s the CKR10’s sub-bass doesn’t reach as low but offers a faster pace and a less laid back feeling. Switching from the A2’s to the CKR10’S the latter actually feels thin in comparison but also more forward in its general presentation. Although the mid-bass hit equally hard on both the A2’s has more presence while the midrange on the CKR’s are fuller. The treble on the CKR10’s is fuller and reaches higher. Both male and female voices sound more natural to me with the CKR’s. They both have great depth and timbre in their presentation. In all the CKR10’s are the most balanced of the two.
 
I find them both equally comfortable.
 
They LZ A2’s are slightly easier to drive.
 
Isolation is also quite similar.
  
Vsonic GR07BE vs LZ A2:
Compared to the A2’s the BE’s has a more airy presentation with a lot less bass presence. The sub-bass on the A2’s goes deeper but the BE’s bass is faster.  The midrange is actually quite similar on the two but a bit fuller on the A2’s and vocals is a bit more forward on the BE’s. The treble on the BE’s much more pronounced compared to the A2’s and extension is also noticeable better but also more prone to sibilance while the A2’s treble I fuller. The BE’s has a better soundstage width while the A2’s has a much better depth. The BE’s also has better clarity while details are similar.
 
I find them to be equally comfortable.
 
The A2’s easier to drive.
 
Isolation is better on the A2’s.
 
Trinity Audio Delta (gold filter, tape mod) vs LZ A2’s:
I’ve already got a few questions about how the A2’s compares to the Delta’s and since they’re both hybrids in a similar price range that’s quite natural. I’m not a big fan of the Delta’s in its stock configuration due to their overwhelming (for my taste) mid-bass but I enjoy them very much with an easy modification that simply is putting a piece of tape over the back vent and poking a tiny hole in it with a needle. Since I really like them with this mod and the gold filters installed I think it’s fair to compare them to the A2’s in this form (for the record: in stock form I’d prefer the A2’s easily over the Delta’s).
 
Compared to the A2’s the Delta’s has a more airy presentation with better soundstage width while the A2's has better depth. The A2’s has deeper sub-bass and overall more bass presence but also more boomy mid-bass. The overall signature of the Delta’s brighter while the A2’s are fuller as a result of the mentioned bass presence. The Delta’s has a clearer midrange and neither of them has a midrange that feels recessed. The A2’s has thicker treble while the Delta’s has better extension but are also a bit sharper in the top. Details are similar on both while the Delta’s has better clarity.
 
The built of the housing are very similar on these two, short and wide, but the A2’s has a slightly longer nozzle which is enough for me to find them more comfortable.
 
The A2’s are easier to drive.
 
Isolation is better on the A2’s.
 
Summary:
I feel that I’ve been quite hard on the LZ A2’s but that’s just because they can handle it.
 
In the comparison section above I’ve put them up against some very highly regarded competitors and the truth is that even though they lose out to them all in some ways they still hold their own against all of them in total despite some of the others being a lot more expensive.
 
The LZ A2’s a fantastic IEM to use when out and about with easy fit, very easy to drive and a fun and non-fatiguing sound with a lot of bass presence. Although they may not be ideal for critical home listening they’re still a great offering that sound good with all music and fantastic with some.  

First of all I'd like to thank Grace and Ausdom for giving me a chance to check out the Ausdom M08 Bluetooth headphones.
 
The M08 is available from Amazon:
 
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ausdom-M08-Bluetooth-Headphones-Microphone/dp/B00YXLVOAC
 
http://www.amazon.com/Ausdom-M08-Wireless-Bluetooth-Headphones/dp/B00ZF45JAM
 
Disclaimer:
I’m not in any way affiliated with Ausdom and I do not gain any financial benefits from this review.
 
Short about Ausdom:
Ausdom are located in mainland China and produce Bluetooth headsets and speakers, car electronic accessories and security cameras
 

 

 
About me:
I’m a 43 year old music and sound lover that changed my focus from speakers to headphones and IEM’s about five years ago. At that time I realized that it wasn’t realistic for me to have all the different setups that I wanted and still house a family of four children and a wife so my interest turned first to full sized headphones and later also IEM’s.
 
My preferences are towards full sized open headphones and I believe that also says something about what kind of sound signature I prefer (large soundstage in all directions, balanced and organic sound).
 
My music preferences are pretty much all over the place (only excluding classical music, jazz and really heavy metal). My all-time favorite band is Depeche Mode although I also listen to a lot of grunge/indie, singer/songwriter/acoustical stuff as well as the typical top 40 music.
 
I do not use EQ, ever.
 
I’m a sucker for value for money on most things in life Head-Fi related stuff is no exception.
 
Built and accessories:
The Ausdom M08 is a Bluetooth on-ear headphone featuring a 40mm dynamic driver.
 
It’s only available in black/silver color.
 
The reatil package is very basic but kind of like its "less is more" approach. 
 
The accessory pack is pretty spare, but then again that’s normal with full sized headphones, especially in this price range. It contains a USB charging cable and a 3.5mm to 3.5mm audio cable and that’s it.
 
Material used is a mixture between aluminum alloy and plastic and overall bult feels good.
 
In spite of being Bluetooth headphones the M08’s got a cable for use in case they run out of battery, or if you just want to use them with a cable instead.  Interesting to note is that the sound quality through wired connection actually seems to be a bit better than the Bluetooth connection. Only explanation I can find for this is the lack of aptX support to get the bet Bluetooth sound possible.
 
Battery time is stated to be a massive 25 hours and charging time is 2-3 hours. I find both statements to be fairly correct. This is certainly an impressive battery life compared to every other Bluetooth IEM’s/headphones I’ve tried. This is also the first Bluetooth device that I’ve tried that also shows the battery status on the screen of an Android phone. This only works on the LG G3 though so most likely it’s LG who should have praise for that, never the less it’s really convenient. The charging port is located on the lower part of the left ear cup.
 

In the top left corner the battery status of the M08 is displayed on the LG G3
 

Connected and ready for use
 
The accessories pack is pretty basic and includes the following:
1 AUX input cable
1 USB charging cable
 
I would really have liked for Ausdom to include a soft pouch to keep them in when not in use.
 
Connecting the M08 to you phone via Bluetooth is very straight forward and you basically just turn them on and hold the on button pressed to access pairing mode, open up the Bluetooth settings on your phone to make the connection and you’re ready to go.
 
The remote control works fully with both my Xperia Z3 and LG G3 phones and the mic seem to be of good quality. Unfortunately there’s no light or other indicator that shows whether the headset is turned on or not but it tells you by voice if you put them on your ears before turning them on which is a nice touch.
 
I’ve paired them with the already mentioned Z3Compact, a Nexus 7 tablet, a HTC M7 and the last days my newly acquired LG G3 and they’ve all worked fine with the M08’s.
 
The Bluetooth connection is quite stable and the rated operating distance of 10 meters is pretty accurate when using them inside but outside it’s at least a couple of meters less. Still I’ve had very few drop outs while wearing my phone in my pocket while connected to the M08 outside. As a matter of fact the stability of the M08 is probably the best I’ve come across in a Bluetooth IEM/Headphone by now.
 
Fit and ergonomics:
The M08 is market as an over ear design but in reality it’s more on-ear due to the small pads. Despite of this they’re still extremely lightweight and comfortable to wear even for several hours.
 
Size adjustment is very simple by just pulling the headband on each side until you get the right fit.
 
The headband is padded on the side resting on your head and doesn’t cause any discomfort whatsoever.
 
All buttons and the 3,5mm jack are located on the right ear cup. There’s three buttons: On/Off (also doubles as Play/Pause), and Volume +/- (also doubles as Back/Forward between songs by long press). Interestingly enough adjusting the volume doensn't seem to do so on the actual device it's connected to the way I'm used to but rather "locally" on the headphones built in amplifier. It's the first time I've come across this solution. I'd guess that it's a part of getting the long battery life since the amplifier is not maxed out all the time.
 
My general impression is that the M08’s a well thought through product that works as intended.
 
The Specs:
Speaker diameter: 40mm 
Frequency response: 20Hz-20KHz 
Impedance: 32Ω 
S.P.L: 92±3dB S.P.L at 1KHz 
Rated power: 20mW 
Bluetooth version: 4.0+EDR
Support profile: HSP,HFP,A2DP,AVRCP
Transmission frequency: 2.40GHz-2.48GHz
Transmission distance: 10m
Standby time: More than 250 hours
Usage time: About 25 hours
Charging time: About 2-3 hours
Battery type: Build in 500mah rechargeable lithium battery
Dimension:185*167mm
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Sound:
I've let them play for over 50 hours and I've used them at the office, when walking outside and at home and I've not found any weaknesses to the way they're constructed. I've been using them almost exclusively with my Sony Xperia Z3compact phone except for the last couple of days when I changed to a LG G3 instead.
 
Demo list:
Mark Knopfler – Sailing to Philadelphia
Røyksopp (Feat.Susanne Sundfør) – Save Me
Ane Brun – These Days
Michael Jackson – Dirty Diana
Metallica – Die Die My Darling
The Peter Malick Group – Immigrant
Eva Cassidy – Songbird
Thomas Dybdahl – A Lovestory
Norah Jones – Don’t Know Why
Celldweller – Unshakeable
Jack Johnson – Better Together
Seinabo Sey – Younger (Kygo remix)
Dire Straits- So Far Away
Passenger – Let Her Go
Lupe Fiasco - Deliver
Morrissey – Earth Is the Loneliest Planet
The overall sound signature of the M08 is bassy and slightly on the warm side.
 
Sub-bass reaches fairly deep and also have good impact but can be a bit boomy and loose occasionally. Mid-bass share many similarities with the sub-bass and unfortunately there’s also quite a bit bass bleed into the midrange.
 
The midrange feels well in balance with the rest of the frequencies and doesn’t feel recessed. Vocals are crisp and fairly natural sounding. The mid-bass do overshadow the mids pretty often though which is really a shame.
 
The treble has decent extension without any hint of sibilance and comes across as very non-intrusive.
 
Soundstage in all directions is about average for an on-ear headphone.
 
Details and separation is nothing special and the overall sound does feel a bit congested, hollow and closed in the same way it often does in cheaper closed headphones. That being said they’re still significantly better sounding than the Brainwavz KV-100’s that I recently reviewed as well but the M08’s also a bit more expensive. They still lose out on most accounts regrading sound to the Axgio Sprint Bluetooth IEM’s that’s also a fair bit cheaper.
 
Summary:
The Ausdom M08 packs great Bluetooth stability and comfort combined with amazing battery life and although they sound good this is still the area where I feel that they fall a bit short. Although slightly boomy in the bass and a bit closed in sounding I’d still consider them a very good value at the current sale price of £30 on Amazon UK. 

First of all I'd like to thank Brainwavz and Pandora for giving me a chance to check out the Kidwavz KV-100 Bluetooth headphones.
 
The KV-100 is available from Amazon and Brainwavs audio:
 
http://www.amazon.com/KV-100-Childrens-Bluetooth-Headphones-Brainwavz/dp/B014CLDU4U
 
http://www.brainwavzaudio.com/products/kidwavz-kv-100-blue
 
Disclaimer:
I’m not in any way affiliated with Brainwavz and I do not gain any financial benefits from this review.
 

 

 
 
About me:
I’m a 43 year old music and sound lover that changed my focus from speakers to headphones and IEM’s about five years ago. At that time I realized that it wasn’t realistic for me to have all the different setups that I wanted and still house a family of four children and a wife so my interest turned first to full sized headphones and later also IEM’s.
 
My preferences are towards full sized open headphones and I believe that also says something about what kind of sound signature I prefer (large soundstage in all directions, balanced and organic sound).
 
My music preferences are pretty much all over the place (only excluding classical music, jazz and really heavy metal). My all-time favorite band is Depeche Mode although I also listen to a lot of grunge/indie, singer/songwriter/acoustical stuff as well as the typical top 40 music.
 
I do not use EQ, ever.
 
I’m a sucker for value for money on most things in life, Head-Fi related stuff is no exception.
 
Built and accessories:
The Kidwavz KV-100 is a Bluetooth on-ear headphone with a maximum volume limit to prevent children and youngsters to listen to music at dangerously loud volumes.
 
It’s available in three different flavors: black, blue and pink. Having twin girls in the age on ten I’ve got the pink ones
 
The accessory pack is not exactly packed with goodies, but then again that normally not the case with full sized headphones, especially not in this price range. It contains a USB charging cable and a 3.5mm to 3.5mm audio cable and that’s it.
 
Built is all plastic but they still feel pretty sturdy and I’ve got no reason to believe that they won’t hold up, especially given my very good experiences with other Brainwavz products in this area.
 
In spite of being Bluetooth headphones the KV-100’s got a cable for use in case they run out of battery, or if you just want to use them with a cable instead. Please note that the volume limitation will not work if connected through the cable though (more about this later).
 
Battery time is stated to be 6 hours and charging time is 3 hours and I find that to be fairly correct. The charging port is located on the lower part of the right ear cup.
 
The accessories pack is pretty basic and includes the following:
1 AUX input cable
1 USB charging cable
 
I would really have liked for Brainwavz to include a soft pouch to keep them in when not in use.
 
The housings are all plastic but its high quality plastic and they seem very solid and well built.
 
Connecting the KV-100 to you phone is very straight forward and you basically just turn them on and open up the Bluetooth settings on your phone to make the connection and you’re ready to go.
 
The remote control also works fully with my Xperia Z3 phone (something that’s not always the case) and the mic seem to be of good quality. There’s a small light next to the 3.5mm jack on the right ear cup that shows whether the headset is turned on or not and it tells you by voice if you put them on your ears before turning them on, very nice.
 
I’ve paired them with the already mentioned Z3Compact, a Nexus 7 tablet, a HTC M7 and an Ipod Touch 5 gen. and they’ve all worked fine with the KV-100’s.
 
When the KV-100 is connected to the source through Bluetooth there’s an 85dB volume limit activated to prevent smaller children and young people to damage their hearing by listening at too loud volume. This is a very nice feature that I’ve seen a couple of times before in wired headphones especially directed toward kids but it’s the first time I’ve ever seen it I a Bluetooth headphone. Unfortunately using the 3.5mm cable to connect the KV-100 to a source disables this feature, I really wish that it’d been working I this mode also.
 
The Bluetooth connection is quite stable and the rated operating distance of 10 meters is pretty accurate when using them inside but outside it’s at least a couple of meters less. Still I’ve had very few drop outs while wearing my phone in my pocket while connected to the KV-100’s outside.
 
Please note that Brainwavz recently extended their warranty to last for 24 months (earlier it was 12 months) for all their products. Pretty impressive to me, let’s hope that other manufactures learn from this and offer the same in the future.
 

 

 

 

 
 
Fit and ergonomics:
The KV-100 is an on-ear design. Although I’m not  big fan of on-ear design (the tend to hurt my ears pretty fast) they’re certainly not more uncomfortable than many other on ear models I’ve tried.
 
Size adjustment is very simple by just pulling the housing along the slider that connect the cups the headband.
 
The headband is padded and doesn’t cause any discomfort even though my head is probably bigger that what’s to be expected on the intended users.
 
All buttons are placed on the side of the right ear cup and they're easy to understand and use for an adult but my ten years old girls are not very comfortable using them but prefer to use their Ipod's for making adjustments. 
 
My general impression is that the KV-100 is a well thought through product that works as intended as long as you use a Bluetooth connection (once again a cable connection disables the 85dB volume limit).
 
The Specs:
Bluetooth Profiles: HSP, HFP, A2DP, AVRCP 
Bluetooth Operating Distance: 10 meters / 33 feet 
Frequency range: 2.4 ~ 2.48 GHz 
 
Distortion: ≤1% 
Microphone Sensitivity: -40dB 
Working Time: Music Play Time up to 6 hours, Talk Time up to 10 hours 
Charging Time: Approx. 3hours
 
Sound:
I've let them play for over 50 hours and I've used them at the office, when walking outside and at home and I've not found any weaknesses to the way they're constructed. I've been using them almost exclusively with my Sony Xperia Z3compact phone while my ten years old twin daughters has been using them with their Ipod touch’s  (5.gen).
 
To be honest these are not exactly high fidelity in sound and I don’t think they need to be either given their target audience and intended use. Because of this I will not use too much time talking about the sound in detail but rather give a shorter general description of how they sound.
 
The overall sound signature of the KV-100 is pretty well balanced with a pretty weak subbass.
 
As already mentioned the subbass lacks depth and impact. Although the lack of bass impact makes listening to the KV-100 a bit unengaging I can imagine that it’s also a part of it being designed to protect the hearing of the younger audience.
 
The midrange feels well in balance with the rest of the frequencies and vocals are nice and crisp.
 
The treble rolls of pretty fast and comes across as very non-intrusive.
 
Soundstage in all directions is about average for an on-ear headphone.
 
Details and separation is nothing special and the overall sound does feel a bit congested, hollowed and closed in the same way it often does in cheaper closed headphones.
 
Summary:
The Kidwavz KD-100 is a well built, decent sounding option for younger persons that offer a lot of nice features at a very reasonable price. Although I personally am not too impressed by it sound it’s still decent for the price and what’s more important my ten years old twins, that’s much more in the target group than this old reviewer, absolutely loves them so all I can say is:
 
WELL DONE BRAINWAVZ!
 

 

I would like to start with saying thank you to Havi for giving me the chance to check out the new Havi B3Pro1.
 
The Havi B3Pro1 is available from Penon Audio:
 
http://penonaudio.com/HAVI-B3-PRO
 
I’m not in any way affiliated with Havi or Penon Audio.
 

 

 

 

 

 
 
About me:
I’m a 43 year old music and sound lover that changed my focus from speakers to headphones and IEM’s about five years ago. At that time I realized that it wasn’t realistic for me to have all the different setups that I wanted and still house a family of four children and a wife so my interest turned first to full sized headphones and later also IEM’s.
 
My preferences are towards full sized open headphones and I believe that also says something about what kind of sound signature I prefer (large soundstage in all directions, balanced and organic sound).
 
My music preferences are pretty much all over the place (only excluding classical music, jazz and really heavy metal). My all-time favorite band is Depeche Mode although I also listen to a lot of grunge/indie, singer/songwriter/acoustical stuff as well as the typical top 40 music.
 
I do not use EQ, ever.
 
I’m a sucker for value for money on most things in life Head-Fi related stuff is no exception.
 
Built and accessories:
The Havi B3Pro1’s is a dual dynamic driver in ear monitor.
 
The cable has a 90 degree angled 3.5 mm connector and seems very well built and should hold up for a long time. The chin slider is also in place just the way I like it.
 
The cable is flat from the 3.5mm connector to the Y-split and round from the Y-split to the housings. The cable does feel both sturdy and flexible and I’ve got no problem with it and I’ve used the B3’s a lot. The over ear fit makes microphonics pretty much non-existing.
 
The build in general is very solid. The housings are all plastic with gorilla glass back plates and strain relief is in place on all the crucial points. The Y-split is also solid and slightly on the large side.
 
The original B3’s are most likely the IEM I’ve used most of all the ones I own and they’ve hold up without any hint of problem.
 
Left/Right marking are fairly easy to spot but could still have been even better.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
The retail package and is very nice for a product at this price point.
 
The accessories pack is also very good for the price and includes the following:
3 pairs black medium bore silicon tips (S,M,L)
3 pairs white medium bore silicon tips (S,M,L) own design)
3 pairs of wide bore double flange tips
1 pair of the best foam tips I’ve ever come across (Havi’s own design)
1 pair of bi-flange tips
1 pair of ear hooks
1 velcro strip for cable management
1 pouch to store them in when not in use
1 zippered case to store them in when not in use
1 cloth to keep the Gorilla glass nice and clean
 
The B3Pro1’s are significantly harder than average to drive and don’t work very well with my weak (in power) Sony Z3 Compact phone.  
 
The specs:
 

 

 
 
Fit and ergonomics:
I find the B3Pro1’s to be average in terms of comfort. The housings are quite large and the fit is pretty shallow but despite of that I’ve got no problems with having them stay in my ears. I’ve got narrow ear canals so sometimes I’ve got to work a lot to get a secure fit but it’s not a big problem with the Havi’s.
 
Isolation is less than average due to the shallow fit. By using the included foam tips isolation will become average.
 
Sound:
I’ve used my old pair heavily for the last two years and I’ve used the new pair with the fuller tuning as my main IEM for the last couple of weeks and they’ve played for well over 100 hours. I’ve used them both around the house and when out and about and I haven’t really found any significant weaknesses in the way they’re designed.
 
I’ve used them with my Sony Xperia Z3 Compact phone paired with the Elecom LBT-PAR500  as well as the the CEntrance DACport Slim and the FiiO X3 and they’ve worked very well with all of them. As already mentioned the Z3Compact is not able to drive them well on its own. Although volume gets close to acceptable listening levels the dynamics and bass is far away from what the B3’s can deliver when getting sufficient power.
 
I enjoy the Havi B3Pro1’s the most with wide bore tips. They’re very tip dependent so I’d suggest to anyone new to the Havi’s to be patient and play around with the included assortment, and maybe even more, until you find the right pair for your preference.
 
Demo list:
Mark Knopfler – Sailing to Philadelphia
Røyksopp (Feat.Susanne Sundfør) – Save Me
Ane Brun – These Days
Michael Jackson – Dirty Diana
Metallica – Die Die My Darling
The Peter Malick Group – Immigrant
Eva Cassidy – Songbird
Thomas Dybdahl – A Lovestory
Norah Jones – Don’t Know Why
Celldweller – Unshakeable
Jack Johnson – Better Together
Seinabo Sey – Younger (Kygo remix)
Dire Straits- So Far Away
Passenger – Let Her Go
Lupe Fiasco - Deliver
Morrissey – Earth Is the Loneliest Planet
 
The overall sound signature on the B3Pro1 is very well balanced with great soundstage width and 3D presentation
 
I’ve owned my first pair of the Havi B3Pro1’s for more than two years and it’s been my favorite value for money IEM and also one of my absolute favorites at any price. When I got the possibility to hear and review the improved version with a slightly fuller tuning I never hesitated.  
 
The bass is very well controlled and sub-bass extension is good but not great. Mid-bass presence is enough to avoid the presentation feeling thin but it’s never even close to become boomy or dominating. This is not an IEM for bass-heads but it should be enough to satisfy most others. With the new tuning I’m able to enjoy for example Lupe Fiasco with them which I couldn’t do with the old tuning.
 
The midrange is slightly forward and is most definitely the star of the show with the B3Pro1’s. It’s slightly on the warm side with a very organic and liquid presentation that really hits the sweet spot for me. Vocals, both male and female, sound extremely natural in te way they’re presented. I’m a sucker for a nice timbre on strings and vocals and the Havi B3Pro1’s are better at this than any other IEM I’ve ever heard.  
 
The treble is well extended without getting thin or introducing sibilance.  It just feels right to me and mixes in excellent with the rest of the presentation.
 
Clarity and micro details are above average for an IEM at this price point. Soundstage width is well above average and actually one of, if not the, widest I’ve ever heard in an IEM. Depth and height is also well above average for an IEM and the feeling of 3D is extremely good.  To accomplish its excellent soundstage the Havi B3Pro1’s also offer one of the best imaging and separation I’ve ever heard.
 
Comparison:
Please note that the comments in the comparison section are not in absolute terms but in comparison between subject A and B. This means (as an example) that if subject A is found to be brighter than subject B it does not necessarily mean that subject A is bright sounding in absolute terms. I hope this makes sense.
 
The Havi B3Pro siblings:
I do now own three pairs of Havi B3’s: Pro1 (original version), Pro2 and this, the latest revision on the Pro1’s.
 
Compared to the Pro1’s the Pro2’s has significantly more mid-bass impact and also a much smaller soundstage width. They’ve got a pretty similar sub-bass extension and vocal reproduction. The Pro2’s are much easier to drive.
 
Compared to my two year old pair of B3Pro1’s this new pair offers a slightly fuller presentation with a bit more mid-bass. With the old pair I’ve always felt that some music (rap and electronic music for example) wasn’t enjoyable due to the lack of bass. Although the new tuning might still not be the best for bass driven electronic music it still present it in a way that I find enjoyable, this makes them much more versatile to me. The new version is slightly easier to drive.
 
  
ATH-CKR9LTD vs Havi B3Pro1:
Compared to the B3Pro1’s the LTD’s has a more intimate presentation while soundstage depth and height are pretty similar. The overall sound signature of the LTD’s fuller with more bass across the board. Clarity and details are better on the LTD’s and although they’ve got great timbre and vocals I think that the B3’s does this even slightly better.
 
These do both have a pretty shallow fit but the LTD’s fits my ears best and are therefore the more comfortable of the two for me.  The LTD’s are better built.
 
The LTD’s significantly easier to drive.
 
Isolation is better on the LTD’s.
 
VE the Duke vs Havi B3Pro1:
Compared to the B3Pro1’s the Duke have a smaller soundstage width and more mid-bass presence. Sub-bass extension is pretty similar but the Duke’s got a bit more impact. The Duke also has a lift in the upper mids/ lower highs making them a bit more airy in the top. The Duke has better treble extension, micro details and clarity while the B3’s has more natural voice reproduction as well as better timbre.  
 
I find both of these equally comfortable but the Duke with its aluminum alloy housings feels more premium.
 
The Duke’s easier to drive.
 
Isolation is much better on the Duke.
 
Summary:
The Havi B3Pro1 is my all-time favorite IEM. Not  only does it hold its own compared to my other personal favorite IEM’s and even outperforms them in some areas but they do it a at a fraction of the price. This new revision has made this great IEM even better and more versatile.
 
I listen to a lot of singer/songwriter music and this is a perfect match for the soundstage, separation, imaging, timbre and amazing vocal reproduction on the B3Pro1’s. I also love the sound of full sized open headphones and the Havi B3Pro1’s are the closest to that sound I’ve ever found in an IEM. This is probably some of the reasons why I’ve fallen in love with them and use them as my reference IEM.
 
With a good built, great accessories package and a performance that rivals that of IEM’s many times its price the Havi B3Pro1’s are my go to recommendation to anyone looking for the best performing budget IEM with a neutral-ish signature. This is under the condition that they’re also willing to invest in a powerful enough source/amp to drive them to their true potential.  
 
If I should describe them I three words it would be: soundstage, imaging and separation.

I would like to start with saying thank you to Pro-Ject Europe for giving me the chance to check out the Pro-Ject Hear It One.
 
I’d also like to than my friend Felix (@WayneWoondirts) for making the tour happening and including me on it.
 
The Pro-Ject Hear It One is available on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pro-Ject-Hear-One-Headphones-Black/dp/B008VR9IN4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1445253787&sr=8-3&keywords=pro-ject+hear+it
 
http://www.amazon.de/Pro-Ject-13148-Pro-Ject-Kopfh%C3%B6rer/dp/B008VR9IN4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1445254067&sr=8-1&keywords=pro-ject+hear+it
 
http://www.amazon.com/Pro-Ject-Audio-Audiophile-stereo-headphone/dp/B008VR9IN4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1445254105&sr=8-2&keywords=pro-ject+hear+it
 
I’m not in any way affiliated with Pro-Ject.
 
Short about Pro-Ject:
Pro-Ject is an Austria based company that’s been around for quite some time (founded in 1990).
 
For people interested in listening to vinyl Pro-Ject is a well regarded and serious brand in turntables and accessories but they do also offer micro stereo components and headphones.
 

 

 
About me:
I’m a 43 year old music and sound lover that changed my focus from speakers to headphones and IEM’s about five years ago. At that time I realized that it wasn’t realistic for me to have all the different setups that I wanted and still house a family of four children and a wife so my focus turned first to full sized headphones and later also IEM’s.
 
My preferences are towards full sized open headphones and I believe that also says something about what kind of sound signature I prefer (large soundstage in all directions, balanced and organic sound).
 
My music preferences are pretty much all over the place (only excluding classical music, jazz and really heavy metal). My all-time favorite band is Depeche Mode although I also listen to a lot of grunge/indie, singer/songwriter/acoustical stuff as well as the typical top 40 music.
 
I do not use EQ, ever.
 
I’m a sucker for value for money on most things in life Head-Fi related stuff is no exception.
 
Built and accessories:
The Pro-Ject Hear It One is an on-ear dynamic headphone featuring a 38 mm driver.
 
It comes in only one version without a microphone.  
 
The cable has a straight 3.5 mm connector. Although I personally prefer L-shaped (45 or 90 degrees) connectors this one seems very well built and should hold up for a long time. The cable is clothed and seems to be of good quality. It’s connected to the headphones through the left ear cup. Unfortunately the cable is not detachable. I would’ve really liked for Pro-Ject to have used a detachable cable solution to give the customer the option to use a cable with microphone if they want.
 
The build in general seems very solid. The housings are plastic with back plates in aluminum. The headband is made of metal and covered with leather. There’s no denying that the design of the Hear It One is more or less identical to offerings from Fischer Audio, Maxell and Brainwavz. I was lucky to get a hold of a pair of the Brainwavz HM3 for comparison and I can confirm that although the physical design is more or less identical the drivers are not.
 
The retail package is pretty basic for a product at this price point.
 
The accessories pack is pretty spare and includes the following:
 
A 3.5 to 6.5 mm adapter
 
A pouch to store them in when not in use
 
Pro-Ject also offers a second option in ear pads but unfortunately these are not included in the package but have to be bought separately.
 
The Hear It One is average hard to drive but still works fine even with my weak (in power) Sony Z3Compact phone.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
The specs:
 
 
Fit and ergonomics:
I find the Hear It One’s to be very comfortable. The stock pads are plush and soft and even with third party pads the comfort is very high. I usually don’t like on ear headphones because they make my ears hurt pretty quickly but that’s not the case with the Hear It One. I’ve got a very small head and use the Hear It One in their smallest setting and they fit me will this way. Headband adjustment is very simple you just drag the cups to the position that suits you best.
 
As already mentioned the head band is made of leather but it’s also stuffed with memory form for higher comfort and this works very well.
 
Isolation is also quite good, I’d say about average for a closed can and above average for an on ear.  
 
Sound:
I’ve used these as my main Headphones for the last week and they’ve played for well over 100 hours. I’ve used them both around the house and when out and about and I haven’t really found any significant weaknesses in the way they’re designed.
 
I’ve used them with my Sony Xperia Z3 Compact phone (with and without the Elecom LBT-PAR500) as well as the the CEntrance DACport Slim. Although they work well with all of these combinations my favorite is that with the PAR500 due to it being the most lean on the bass out of these sources.
 
Demo list:
Mark Knopfler – Sailing to Philadelphia
Røyksopp (Feat.Susanne Sundfør) – Save Me
Ane Brun – These Days
Michael Jackson – Dirty Diana
Metallica – Die Die My Darling
The Peter Malick Group – Immigrant
Eva Cassidy – Songbird
Thomas Dybdahl – A Lovestory
Norah Jones – Don’t Know Why
Celldweller – Unshakeable
Jack Johnson – Better Together
Seinabo Sey – Younger (Kygo remix)
Dire Straits- So Far Away
Passenger – Let Her Go
Lupe Fiasco - Deliver
Morrissey – Earth Is the Loneliest Planet
 
 
The overall sound signature of the Hear It One’s is intimate, mid-bass focused and on the warm side.
 
The sub-bass’s not the most prominent but it’s still there when called for. The texture of the sub-bass is slightly loose. Mid-bass on the other hand is pretty much ever present. If there’s one thing that can make or break and headphone or IEM for me it’s the quality and quantity of the mid-bass. Unfortunately this is where the Hear It One falls short. The mid-bass are too overwhelming for my taste and the texture of it is also on the loose and boomy side.  
 
The midrange, as long as it’s not interrupted by the mid-bass, is actually quite nice with good texture and liquid presentation. Vocal (especially male) comes out as clear and full and doesn’t feel recessed.
 
Treble is also soft, full and smooth but rolls of too early for my preference and also lack some sparkle to be engaging enough. On the other hand this means that there’s no sibilance at all with them. 
 
Clarity and micro details are also pretty good, especially for a headphone this warm and bassy sounding. Soundstage width is nothing special and the presentation is quite intimate but soundstage depth is good.
 
I’d also like to add some extra information regarding sound and the possibility to tweak it with the use of different pads.
 
Since Pro-Ject actually offers a second design of pads for the Hear It One’s (although I’ve not been able to find any place that sells them) I’d thought that it’d be relevant to include this section.
 
By changing the stock pads with their very small opening to pads with a larger opening the sound changes quite dramatically. The mid bass presence are heavily reduced (albeit still slightly too much for my preference), soundstage is larger and details comes across better. Given the kind of customers already familiar with Pro-Ject through their other products it’s unbelievable to me why they didn’t include the pads with the bigger opening in the package (or at least shipped them with those instead) if  they had I’m pretty sure that the Hear It One would’ve been a much more popular headphone. This reviewer would most likely have rewarded them with one star higher rating if this had been the case.
 

Alternative pads with large opening.

Stock pads with small opening.
 
Comparison:
Please note that the comments in the comparison section are not in absolute terms but in comparison between subject A and B. This means (as an example) that if subject A is found to be brighter than subject B it does not necessarily mean that subject A is bright sounding in absolute terms. I hope this makes sense.
 
  
Don Scorpio Dolphin’s vs Pro-Ject Hear It One:
Compared to the Hear It One the Dolphin’s is slightly brighter sounding with a bigger soundstage width and depth. Although the Dolphin’s has a lift in the mid-bass they never cross the border for what I’m comfortable with and they’ve got quite a bit less mid-bass compared to the Hear It One. Sub-bass is pretty similar in quantity but the Dolphin’s got better layering and tighter bass. The Dolphin’s also has better micro details, separation and clarity.
 
Although both of these are well built and very comfortable I’d give the edge on both accounts to the Dolphin’s.
 
They’re both equally easy to drive.
 
Isolation is slightly better on the Dolphin’s.
 
Takstar Pro80 vs Pro-Ject Hear It One:
Compared to the Hear It One’s the Pro80’s has a much bigger soundstage width while depth is pretty similar. Sub-bass impact is quite similar but the Pro80’s got better quality bass. Mid-bass has less quantity but is tighter on the Pro80’s. The overall signature on the Pro80’s is also brighter and the treble is thinner but has better extension. The Pro80’s also has better micro details, separation and clarity.
 
 
I find the Pro80’s to be more comfortable and both are very well built.
 
The Pro80’s are harder to drive.
 
Being around ear design the Pro80’s offers better isolation.
 
Brainnwavz HM3 vs Pro-Ject Hear It One:
Despite their extremely similar looks the HM3 and Hear It one does not sound the same (although similar). Compared to the Hear It One the HM3 has a more airy presentation with significant less mid-bass presence. Overall presentation is also slightly brighter and more air while details are similar.
 
Although the design is very similar I still find the Hear It One to be the more comfortable of the two due to its better materials used in the headband.
 
These two are equally easy to drive.
 
Isolation is similar on both.
 

Similar looks, different internals.
 
Summary:
To sum things up I must honestly say that I’m struggling to see the red thread with this offering from Pro-Ject. I would’ve thought that with their position in the audiophile world they’d like to offer something in the same line when they turned to headphones. Instead they offer a bass dominated sound signature suited for young people listening to music on YouTube combined with a design that’s certainly more appealing to older people (like me).  Also the on ear design sends a pretty clear message that this is a headphone to be used when on the move but still there’s no choice for a microphone with them.
 
Despite of this the Hear It One offers a quite enjoyable listening (with other pads than the stock ones), good isolation and very good comfort. In all this has been a very interesting and fun first encounter for me with Pro-Ject.
 
In the future I really hope that Pro-Ject comes out with a full sized bigger brother to the Hear It One that’s more oriented towards the audiophile public.

The Monk was included as one of the accessories when I received the review sample of the Duke from Venture Electronics (VE) a while back. I would like thank VE and Lee for including the Monk in my package. The Monk is available from Aliexpress:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Venture-Electronic-VE-MONK-earbud-earphone/32417311324.html?spm=2114.01020208.3.1.yF6d7o&ws_ab_test=searchweb201556_9,searchweb201527_4_71_72_73_61_74_75,searchweb201560_9
 
I’m not in any way affiliated with Venture Electronics.
 
Short introduction of Venture Electronics:
VE is a small and pretty new company, only three years old.
 
They’re located in mainland China and have fast become very popular in audiophile circles due to their line of earbuds (Monk, Asura and Zen) which offers excellent value for money.
 
The Monk is the first earbud I’ve heard from them so let’s find out how it performs.
 
 
About me:
I’m a 43 year old music and sound lover that changed my focus from speakers to headphones and IEM’s about five years ago. At that time I realized that it wasn’t realistic for me to have all the different setups that I wanted and still house a family of four children and a wife so my interest turned first to full sized headphones and later also IEM’s.
 
My preferences are towards full sized open headphones and I believe that also says something about what kind of sound signature I prefer (large soundstage in all directions, balanced and organic sound).
 
My music preferences are pretty much all over the place (only excluding classical music, jazz and really heavy metal). My all-time favorite band is Depeche Mode although I also listen to a lot of grunge/indie, singer/songwriter/acoustical stuff as well as the typical top 40 music.
 
I do not use EQ, ever.
 
I’m a sucker for value for money on most things in life Head-Fi related stuff is no exception.
 
Built and accessories:
The VE Monk is a single dynamic driver earbud featuring a 15.4 mm driver.
 
The cable is pretty good. It doesn’t look or feel like anything special but in use I find it to be excellent with very little tangling, low on microphonics, soft and flexible. The plug is straight and although I usually prefer L-shaped plugs it feels very solid. Left/right marking is easily visible. The chin slider is also in place just the way I like it.
 
The build is all plastic but still seems very solid.
 
Since these were an accessory themselves there were no retail package nor other accessories included with my pair.
 
The Monk is quite easy to drive and works fine even with my weak (in power) Sony Z3 Compact phone. Isolation is pretty much none existent, after all it is an earbud.  As a matter of fact I find the lack of isolation also to be a great strength in certain situations.
 
The specs:
 
Ergonomics:
I’ve got to be honest and say that I’ve not used earbuds in more than 20 years. I’m certainly not going to claim that I’m an expert on them. As a matter of fact it was never my intention to review neither this nor any other earbuds but my experience with the Monk is so good that I really wanted to share it with others.
 
I’ve lived with the impression that the fit of earbuds are not for me for the last 15-20 years. After receiving the Monk as a part of the Duke package I was really surprised how easy they are to fit and how well they stay in my ears. They’re also extremely comfortable and are certainly lighter on the ears than pretty much every IEM that I’ve tried.
 
I do notice quite a difference in the sound by the way the Monk sits in my ear so it might be worth playing around a bit to find the sweet spot for your preference.
 

 

 

 

 
 
Sound:
I’ve used these on and off for the last couple of weeks and they’ve played for well over 100 hours.  
I’ve used them with my Sony Xperia Z3 Compact phone, the CEntrance DACport Slim as well as the SHOZY Lancea paired with Venture Electronics own amplifier the RunAbout (separate review will come soon).
 
Demo list:
Mark Knopfler – Sailing to Philadelphia
Røyksopp (Feat.Susanne Sundfør) – Save Me
Ane Brun – These Days
Michael Jackson – Dirty Diana
Metallica – Die Die My Darling
The Peter Malick Group – Immigrant
Eva Cassidy – Songbird
Thomas Dybdahl – A Lovestory
Norah Jones – Don’t Know Why
Celldweller – Unshakeable
Jack Johnson – Better Together
Seinabo Sey – Younger (Kygo remix)
Dire Straits- So Far Away
Passenger – Let Her Go
Lupe Fiasco - Deliver
Morrissey – Earth Is the Loneliest Planet
 
I’d like to start this section with a funny story. When I first received the Duke and unpacked it the included earbud caught my attention. I’ve been seeing all this comments in here about the Monk, Asura and Zen from VE but never really paid any closer attention to it. I didn’t even know which of the ones that was in my package so curiosity got the best of me and I went straight to the earbuds before even trying the Duke. Two hours later I was still listening to the Monk’s with my jaw planted on the floor, I simply could not believe what I was hearing. I started to dig around and pretty fast realized that the Zen was white and that the Monk was $5 so I concluded that I had probably gotten the Asura. After contacting Lee I learned that it was actually the $5 Monk that I had in my possession, $5! Seriously come on.
 
OK, let’s get down to the description of what they sound like.
 
The overall sound signature is very well balanced, natural and entertaining. I don’t find the Monk to be neither dark nor particularly bright sounding. It shares a lot of the characteristics that I usually associate with open full size headphones. People knowing me also know that I’m a sucker for open cans.
 
The lows lack some extension in the sub-bass region not going as deep as I’d like. Apart from this the quality of the bass is very good. Mid- and upper-bass is clean and clear with absolutely no bleed into the midrange. The bass quantity is enough to keep them from sounding thin and both male voices and guitars sound full and natural with them.
 
The midrange is well in balance with the rest of the frequencies. In total the vocal reproduction on both male and female artist is very good though. Although the mids are not particular forward I still think it’s the greatest asset of the Monk. It’s rally liquid and smooth making for a very enjoyable and easy listening.
 
The treble is full and smooth bit may lack some extension in the top end for my liking. This is certainly not enough to be a dealbreaker and I'm judging them pretty hard here given the price. There's no sibilance whatsoever with them.  
 
Soundstage in all directions is larger than what one can expect from the average IEM but smaller than you’d expect from a full size open headphone. Clarity, micro details and separation is also quite good.
 
Comparison:
As already mentioned I find the overall signature of the Monk to be closer to that of full sized headphones than IEM’s. Still it cannot, naturally, keep up on all accounts to full size cans either. Especially deep bass extension and impact suffers from the driver being much smaller.
 
Given the differences in design with IEM’s and headphones and my lack of experience with other earbuds I see no reason to try to make any comparisons with the Monk.
 
Summary:
The VE Monk has indeed been a revelation for me. Not only have I learned to really appreciate earbuds from them but it also brings a smile on my face again and again.
 
I travel quite a lot in my line of work but never bother to bring any full sized cans along on my trips (except for the QC25 on longer flights) but on a recent trip I brought along the Monk and man was it nice to get that change from the IEM’s I’ve been wearing all day when I came to the hotel room. I don’t complain that the sound is seriously good and a great option to bring a long full sized gear as well.
 
Yes, sometimes I wish for a bit deeper sub-bass with more impact and some more sparkle and extension in the top end then I remember its $5 and the smile is back on my face. This certainly has to be one of the best value for money ever in the world of head-fi. 
 
It really, really makes me looking forward to the soon to be released Zen 2.0.

I would like to start with saying thank you to RHA and Iain for giving me the chance to check out the RHA S500i.
The RHA S500i is only available from Apple store as far as I understand but the version without a mic (S500) is available on Amazon:
 
http://www.amazon.co.uk/RHA-ultra-compact-isolating-aluminium-headphone/dp/B015YBFFNQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1445028750&sr=8-1&keywords=rha+s500
 
http://www.amazon.de/RHA-ultra-kompakte-ger%C3%A4uschisolierende-Kopfh%C3%B6rer-Aluminium/dp/B015YBFFNQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=ce-de&ie=UTF8&qid=1445029082&sr=1-1&keywords=rha+s500
 
http://www.amazon.com/RHA-S500-Ultra-compact-isolating--ear/dp/B015YBFFNQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1445029142&sr=8-1&keywords=rha+s500
 
I’m not in any way affiliated with RHA.
 
About RHA:
I’ve got no prior experience with RHA or their products but this is what they say about themselves on their website:
 
“RHA is a specialist British headphone company.
 
We stand for true-to-life audio reproduction and lasting quality.
 
With these values at our core, we work to deliver the most accurate, comfortable and unobtrusive listening experience possible. Every RHA product combines high quality materials, precision engineering and our fundamental commitment to design.”
 
Pretty bold statements let’s see if the S500i’s lives up to them.
 

 

 
 
 
About me:
I’m a 43 year old music and sound lover that changed my focus from speakers to headphones and IEM’s about five years ago. At that time I realized that it wasn’t realistic for me to have all the different setups that I wanted and still house a family of four children and a wife so my interest turned first to full sized headphones and later also IEM’s.
 
My preferences are towards full sized open headphones and I believe that also says something about what kind of sound signature I prefer (large soundstage in all directions, balanced and organic sound).
 
My music preferences are pretty much all over the place (only excluding classical music, jazz and really heavy metal). My all-time favorite band is Depeche Mode although I also listen to a lot of grunge/indie, singer/songwriter/acoustical stuff as well as the typical top 40 music.
 
I do not use EQ, ever.
 
I’m a sucker for value for money on most things in life, Head-Fi related stuff is no exception.
 
Built and accessories:
The RHA S500i’s are a micro dynamic driver in ear monitor.
 
It comes in two versions: one with mic for Apple products and one without mic. The answer/call (same as play/pause) button and mic on the mic version works great with my Sony Z3compact phone while the other buttons seem to work only with Apple devices.
 
The cable has a straight 3.5 mm connector. Although I personally prefer L-shaped (45 or 90 degrees) connectors this one seems very well built and should hold up for a long time. The chin slider is also in place. The chin slider is actually a bit special as well. As far as I can remember I’ve only seen this solution on one other IEM earlier (the AKG K323xs) and it makes the risk of getting stuck and ruining the cable smaller:
 

 
The first company starting to make these chin sliders with an opening on BOTH sides for use with IEM’s that comes without chin sliders originally should be able to sell quite a few.
 
The cable is clothed from the 3,5mm connector to the Y-split and from there to the housings it’s a regular rubber cable. There’s some microphonics with this cable. I’m personally not very bothered by micropohinics so it’s not a big deal for me. Wearing the S500i’s over ear does reduce the microphonics. Unfortunately the placing of the microphone makes it rather difficult to wear them over the ear if you’d like to be able to use the mic as well. I’ve got two problems with this cable: First the clothed part has already started to get “fluffy” near the microphone (see picture below) and secondly I find it to be too long. I’ve got no idea why RHA have decided to use a longer cable than the normal 1.2 meter but while travelling with the S500i’s recently I was bothered by the long cable on multiple occasions.
 

"Fluffy" cloth on the cable.
 
The build in general seems very solid. The housings are all aluminum and strain relief is in place on all the crucial points. The Y-split is also solid without being overly large.
 
Left/Right marking are fairly easy to spot and the left side also have a dot on the strain relief so that one can find the left side without looking at them.
 
The retail package is very nice for a product at this price point.
 
The accessories pack is decent for the price and includes the following:
5 pairs medium bore silicon tips  in different sizes.
1 pair of bi-flange tips
1 shirt clip
1 pouch to store them in when not in use
 
The S500i’s are harder than average to drive but still works fine even with my weak (in power) Sony Z3 Compact phone. Isolation is above average.
 

 
 
The specs:
 
Fit and ergonomics:
I find the S500i’s to be extremely comfortable. The small housings just disappear even in my narrow ear channels. They’re that sort of IEM’s that you can just put in there and enjoy without any hassle.
As already mentioned the cable is also a bit too long for my liking and the placement of the mic makes it difficult to wear the S500i’s over the ear.
 
Isolation is better than average although I’d expected it to be even better given their design. I’ve used them on four 1,5-2 hours flights and although they isolated fairly good even on the  planes the relatively deep insertion made them less ideal to use on flights due to cabin pressure messing up the sound. I’ve also used them for several hours on the train and they worked very well there.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
Sound:
I’ve used these as my main IEM for the last week and they’ve played for well over 100 hours. I’ve used them both around the house and when out and about and I haven’t really found any significant weaknesses in the way they’re designed.
 
I’ve used them with my Sony Xperia Z3 Compact phone (with and without the Elecom LBT-PAR500) as well as the the CEntrance DACport Slim and they’ve worked very well with all of them.
 
Demo list:
Mark Knopfler – Sailing to Philadelphia
Røyksopp (Feat.Susanne Sundfør) – Save Me
Ane Brun – These Days
Michael Jackson – Dirty Diana
Metallica – Die Die My Darling
The Peter Malick Group – Immigrant
Eva Cassidy – Songbird
Thomas Dybdahl – A Lovestory
Norah Jones – Don’t Know Why
Celldweller – Unshakeable
Jack Johnson – Better Together
Seinabo Sey – Younger (Kygo remix)
Dire Straits- So Far Away
Passenger – Let Her Go
Lupe Fiasco - Deliver
Morrissey – Earth Is the Loneliest Planet
 
 
The overall sound signature on the S500i is fairly well balanced.
 
The bass is actually pretty perfect in quantity for my preferences and mid-bass is well controlled with very little bass bleed. Despite of this the bass is where I’ve got the biggest problem with the S500i’s. While mid-bass well behaved the lower bass is slightly loose and soft in its character. The bass also lack a bit of speed when there’s a lot going on in the music and I’m also missing the layering in the bass from some more expensive offerings. This is certainly not a deal breaker for me and I still enjoy them quite a bit. Although these are not for bass-heads I don’t feel the bass lacking at all.
 
The midrange is pretty well balanced with the rest of the frequencies. Although the mid-bass present is well controlled they don’t come across as thin sounding but rather clean and clear. There’s enough fullness to give male voices fundament. There’s also a lift in the higher mids making them quite airy sounding and giving female voices a very natural and enjoyable sound. Vocals in general are very well reproduced and come across as clear and forward without ever being shouty. 
 
The treble is nice and full without any hint of sibilance. For my preference the treble could have had some more presence and better extension. In total I still find them to have a nice non-intrusive treble presentation.
 
Clarity and micro details are above average for an IEM at this price point. Soundstage width is slightly above average while depth and high is average for an IEM. .
 
Comparison:
Please note that the comments in the comparison section are not in absolute terms but in comparison between subject A and B. This means (as an example) that if subject A is found to be brighter than subject B it does not necessarily mean that subject A is bright sounding in absolute terms. I hope this makes sense.
 
  
AKG K323xs vs RHA S500i:
Compared to the S500i’s the K323xs has a slightly smaller soundstage width with a less airy presentation. Soundstage depth and height are pretty similar. The AKG’s also has a less smooth treble and are more prone to sibilance. Apart from this these two are more similar than different with the S500i’s being slightly more refined across the board.
 
Although the AKG’s are even smaller than the S500i’s I find both of these equally comfortable.  The RHA’s are better built.
 
They’re both slightly harder than average to drive.
 
Isolation is good on both of these.
 
Vsonic VSD3S vs RHA S500i:
Compared to the S500i’s the VSD3S has a bigger soundstage depth and height while width is similar. The Vsonic also have more bass present giving them a fuller midrange. The RHA’s on the other hand has a fuller treble but with less extension.  The RHA’s also got better clarity and micro details.
 
I find both of these equally comfortable.  The RHA’s are better built.
 
The VSD3S are significantly easier to drive.
 
Isolation is good on both of these.
 
Brainwavz S0 vs RHA S500i:
Compared to the S500i’s the S0’s have more bass presence, especially mid-bass. The bigger bass gives the S0 an overall fuller sound. The S500i’s have a more airy presentation with better soundstage in all directions. The RHA’s also feels more refined and once again delivers better details and clarity.
 
I find both of these equally comfortable and well built.
 
The SO’s are significantly easier to drive.
 
Isolation is better on the RHA’s.
 
 
Summary:
The S500i’s really been a very nice first encounter for me with RHA products. In the beginning of this review I said that RHA makes some pretty bold claims on what they want to be. I’m very glad to conclude that they indeed deliver what they promise.
 
The S500i’s taken the place as one of my absolutely favorite sub $50 IEM’s. As a total package it might very well be the best I’ve come across in this price bracket. A well balanced clean sound combined with an excellent build quality, good accessories and a three years warranty makes it a very solid offering and an easy recommendation.
 
In the future I really hope that RHA comes with a bigger brother to the S500 that keep its overall signature but takes it even further in refinement and extension in both ends. 

I would like to start with saying thank you to Brainwavz and Pandora for letting me check out the Brainwavz S3.
 
The Brainwavz S3 is available from here:
http://www.brainwavzaudio.com/collections/earphones/products/brainwavz-s3-earphones
 
I’m not in any way affiliated with Brainwavz or MP4Nation.
 

 

 
 
About me:
I’m a 43 year old music and sound lover that changed my focus from speakers to headphones and IEM’s about five years ago. At that time I realized that it wasn’t realistic for me to have all the different setups that I wanted and still house a family of four children and a wife so my interest turned first to full sized headphones and later also IEM’s.
 
My preferences are towards full sized open headphones and I believe that also says something about what kind of sound signature I prefer (large soundstage in all directions, balanced and organic sound).
 
My music preferences are pretty much all over the place (only excluding classical music, jazz and really heavy metal). My all-time favorite band is Depeche Mode although I also listen to a lot of grunge/indie, singer/songwriter/acoustical stuff as well as the typical top 40 music.
I do not use EQ, ever.
 
I’m a sucker for value for money on most things in life, Head-Fi related stuff is no exception.
 

 
 
Built and accessories:
The Brainwavz S3’s are a single dynamic driver in ear monitor.
 
It comes “only” in one flavor, silver color with Brainwavz Clearaudio mic/remote for the fruit company devices. The answer/call (same as play/pause) button and mic works great with my Sony Z3compact phone though.
 
The cable has a straight 3.5 mm connector. Although I personally prefer L-shaped (45 or 90 degrees) connectors this one seems very well built and should hold up for a long time. The chin slider is also in place.
 
The cable is flat and quite thick. Although I don’t mind a flat cable I’d prefer it to be thinner and more flexible There’s some microphonics but I’d even say it’s slightly worse than average for an IEM. Unfortunately the placing of the microphone makes it rather difficult to wear them over the ear if you’d like to be able to use the mic as well.
 
The build seems very solid in the way we’re used to from Brainwavz. The housings are all metal and strain relief is in place on all the crucial points. The Y-split is also solid without being overly large.
 
The retail package is nice and feels representative for an IEM in this price bracket.
 
The accessories pack is decent for the price and includes the following:
1 pairs Comply T-400 tips (M)
3 pairs wide bore silicon tips (S,M,L)
3 pairs of narrow bore silicon tips (S, M, L)
1 pair of bi-flange tips
1 pair of tri-flange tips
1 velcro cable tie
1 shirt clip
1 zipped case to store them in when not in use
 
The Brainwavz S3’s are harder than average to drive but still works fine even with my weak (in power) Sony Z3 Compact phone. Isolation is above average.
 
Please note that Brainwavz recently extended their warranty to last for 24 months (earlier it was 12 months) for all their products. Pretty impressive to me, let’s hope that other manufactures learn from this and offer the same in the future.
 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
The specs:
 
Fit and ergonomics:
I find the S3’s to be very comfortable. That being said I would have preferred them to have the angled nozzle and over the ear fit as the S5 has. I find that design even more comfortable and like the over ear fit that helps reduce sibilance significantly.
 
As already mentioned the cable is also a bit too thick for my liking and the placement of the mic makes it difficult to wear the S3’s over the ear.
 
I’d also like to mention that the S3’s a pretty fit and tip dependent in the way they sound, more so than the average IEM. This mean that you might have to play around awhile with them to find your best fit but when you do you’ll be rewarded with an excellent performance.
 

The angled nozzle on the S5, makes them extremely comfortable to wear.
 
Sound:
I’ve used these as my main IEM for the last two weeks and they’ve played for well over 100 hours. I’ve used them both around the house and when out and about and I haven’t really found any significant weaknesses in the way they’re designed.
 
I’ve used them with my Sony Xperia Z3 Compact phone, the SHOZY Lancea and the CEntrance DACport Slim and they’ve worked very well with all of them.
 
Demo list:
Mark Knopfler – Sailing to Philadelphia
Røyksopp (Feat.Susanne Sundfør) – Save Me
Ane Brun – These Days
Michael Jackson – Dirty Diana
Metallica – Die Die My Darling
The Peter Malick Group – Immigrant
Eva Cassidy – Songbird
Thomas Dybdahl – A Lovestory
Norah Jones – Don’t Know Why
Celldweller – Unshakeable
Jack Johnson – Better Together
Seinabo Sey – Younger (Kygo remix)
Dire Straits- So Far Away
Passenger – Let Her Go
Lupe Fiasco - Deliver
Morrissey – Earth Is the Loneliest Planet
 
I like the S3’s best with narrow bore tips since I find them to bring out more bass than the wide bore ones do.
 
The overall sound signature on the S3 is fairly well balanced. The presentation is without any obvious spikes and peaks. Both soundstage width and depth is slightly above average for an IEM.
 
The bass have some roll off and doesn’t reach really low and because of this it lack a bit of impact in the lowest notes. Apart from this bass seems well balanced across the spectrum and there’s very little bass bleeding into the midrange. The bass is pretty fast and well controlled and I find them enjoyable with all kinds of music genres.
 
The midrange is pretty well balanced with the rest of the frequencies. I’d even go as far as saying that they’re mid-forward and that the midrange is the best asset of the S3’s. Mid bass is enough to give male voices good weight but they still sound crisp and clear. Vocals are very well reproduced and come across as clear and forward without ever being shouty.  
 
The treble is nice and full without any hint of sibilance. Although the top-end sparkle’s not the most noticeable and the treble rolls of a bit earlier than I prefer I still find them to have a nice non-intrusive treble presentation.
 
Clarity and micro details are about average for an IEM in this price point.
 
In all I find the sound from the S3’s to be very enjoyable but maybe lack some excitement.
 
Comparison:
Please note that the comments in the comparison section are not in absolute terms but in comparison between subject A and B. This means (as an example) that if subject A is found to be brighter than subject B it does not necessarily mean that subject A is bright sounding in absolute terms. I hope this makes sense.
 
Brainwavz S0, S5 and R3 vs Brainwavz S3:
Since I’m sure that a lot of people will be wondering how the S3 will compare to the rest of the S-series I thought I do kind of a short summery of differences and similarities between them here before I compare the S3 to a couple of other offerings. Since I don’t own the S1 I opted to through in the R3 as well.
 
Compared to the S0 the S3 has noticeable less mid-bass while sub-bass and treble is quite similar. I do find the S3 more refined and better balanced in its presentation.
 
Compared to the S5 the S3 has significantly less both sub- and mid-bass impact. The S5 also has a thinner treble with better extension. The S5 is also better with details, soundstage and separation while the S3 offers a much more balanced overall sound.
 
Compared to the R3 the balance of the S3 is pretty similar with a mid-forward presentation that rolls off in both ends. The R3 has a more intimate presentation and S3 has better soundstage width as well as a less warm presentation.
 

The siblings: S5, S3 and S0.
  
Soundmagic E80 vs Brainwavz S3:
Compared to the S3’s the E80’s has a similar soundstage width but better depth. Clarity and separation is pretty similar on the two. The E80’s has much better sub-bass extension and impact while mid-bass is quite similar. Midrange on both is very good and is more similar than different.  Top end on them is also pretty similar and none of them are prone to sibilance.
 
I like the fit on both of these and they’re equally comfortable.
 
They’re both slightly harder than average to drive with the E80 being hardest of the two.
 
Isolation is good on both of these.
 
 
Havi B3 Pro1 vs Brainwavz S3:
Compared to the S3 the B3’s has a bigger soundstage in all directions. They also, surprisingly, have an overall fuller sound with more mid-bass presence and the sub-bass reaches lower. The B3’s are also even smoother and more liquid in its presentation. The B3’s has slightly better treble extension and none of them are prone to sibilance.
 
I find the S3’s to be more comfortable and easier to get a good fit with.
 
The S3’s are significantly easier to drive.
 
Isolation is better with the S3’s.
 
Summary:
All together I find the Brainwavz S3 to be a solid offering at its price. It has great build quality, good amount of accessories and a well balance sound that really appeals to me. I’d even go as far as saying that it replaced the R3 as my favorite Brainwavz IEM.

First of all I'd like to thank Axgio and Michael for giving me a chance to check out the Axgio Sprint Bluetooth IEM.
 
The Axgio Sprint is available from Amazon:
 
http://www.amazon.com/Sprint-Isolating-Bluetooth-Adjustable-Sweat-proof/dp/B0123KN5TC
 

 

 
 
Disclaimer:
I’m not in any way affiliated with Axgio and I do not gain any financial benefits from this review.
 
Short introduction to Axgio:
Axgio is a technology company that design smartphones and accessories. They like to be considered an engaged and intelligent company rather than a manufacturer
 
Let’s see how smart they’ve been when designing the Sprint.
 
About me:
I’m a 43 year old music and sound lover that changed my focus from speakers to headphones and IEM’s about five years ago. At that time I realized that it wasn’t realistic for me to have all the different setups that I wanted and still house a family of four children and a wife so my interest turned first to full sized headphones and later also IEM’s.
 
My preferences are towards full sized open headphones and I believe that also says something about what kind of sound signature I prefer (large soundstage in all directions, balanced and organic sound).
 
My music preferences are pretty much all over the place (only excluding classical music, jazz and really heavy metal). My all-time favorite band is Depeche Mode although I also listen to a lot of grunge/indie, singer/songwriter/acoustical stuff as well as the typical top 40 music.
 
I do not use EQ, ever.
 
I’m a sucker for value for money on most things in life, Head-Fi related stuff is no exception.
 
Built and accessories:
The Axgio Sprint is a Bluetooth IEM with over the ear fit and features a 7mm dynamic driver.
 
It’s only available in black color.
 
 
The accessory pack is decent when it comes to the included tips. Unfortunately the only other included accessory is a USB charging cable.
 
 
Built quality is top notch and the over ear fit make them sit close to your ears. I find the ergonomics on the Sprint to be excellent. Isolation is about average for an IEM. The Sprint is also sweat proof. 
 
 
In spite of being a Bluetooth IEM the Sprint has got a cable connecting the housings to each other. This is also where the remote and mic unit is located. The cable is about 50 cm long and it feels like a perfect length to me.
 
 
Battery time is stated to be 8 hours and I find that to be correct and the microphone hosts a micro USB port for charging. Charging time is about 2 hours.
 
 
I’ve really enjoyed the Sprint and not having to worry about the cable getting stuck or bringing my phone with me every time I get up from my desk has been great. It’s also been very nice to be able to listen to music while moving around the house and while working out.
 

 

 

 

 

 
 
The accessories pack is decent for the price and includes the following:
 
3 pairs foam tips of god quality (S, M, L)
 
4 pairs silicon tips (XS,S,M,L)
 
(I’m sorry but I managed to misplace the foam tips for the photoshoot).
 
I would really have liked for Axgio to include a storage case or at least a soft pouch to keep them in when not in use.
 

 
 
The short cable is rather thin and smooth and features memory wire for a secure over the ear fit. The housings are all plastic but its high quality plastic and they seem very solid and well built.
 
Connecting the Sprint to you phone is very straight forward and you basically just turn them on and open up the Bluetooth settings on your phone to make the connection and you’re ready to go.
 
The remote control also works fully with my Xperia Z3 phone (something that’s not always the case) and the mic seem to be of good quality. There’s a small light on the microphone that shows whether the headset is turned on or not and it tells you by voice if you put them in your ears before turning them on, very nice.
 
The upper button is volume up (long press for next track), middle is volume down (long press to start the current track again) and the lowest one is play/pause and answering calls. Ideally I’d preferred the middle button to be play/pause/call since that’s what I’m used too from most of my other IEM’s with inline mic but this is not a big deal.
 
 
The only potentially drawback I’ve found on the functionality is that the Bluetooth reception isn’t the best. As long as I use them indoor it’s pretty decent but for outdoor usage I would’ve preferred a stronger receiver in them. I use one of those wallet phone cases and it seem as if it weakens the Bluetooth enough for the Sprint not even to work if I put the phone in my jeans pocket. If I use the case I need to put the phone in my jackets breast pocket for it to work properly. If I remove the wallet case I can easily put them in my jeans pocket while moving around outside. An armband for running does also work great.  
 
 
My general impression is that the Sprint feels robust and well thought out and is a really convenient alternative when you’re moving around be so at the office, at home or while working out.
 

 
 
The Specs:
Chip: CSR8645 (with AptX) 
Bluetooth Version: 4.1 
Profile Supported: HSP, HFP, A2DP and AVRCP 
Battery Capacity: 130mAh 
Charging time: about 2 hr 
Charging port: USB cable 
Music time: 8hr 
Talk time: 8hr 
Driver Unit: 7mm (SPK) 
Frequency Response: 20 Hz-20k Hz 
Dimension: 13.7*13.7*18.3mm 
Siri: Yes 
 
 
Sound:
I've let them play for over 50 hours and I've used them while working out, at the office and at home and I've not found any weaknesses to the way they're constructed. I've been using them exclusively with my Sony Xperia Z3compact phone. I've owned them for a little more than two weeks. 
 
Demo list:
Mark Knopfler – Sailing to Philadelphia
Røyksopp (Feat.Susanne Sundfør) – Save Me
Ane Brun – These Days
Michael Jackson – Dirty Diana
Metallica – Die Die My Darling
The Peter Malick Group – Immigrant
Eva Cassidy – Songbird
Thomas Dybdahl – A Lovestory
Norah Jones – Don’t Know Why
Celldweller – Unshakeable
Jack Johnson – Better Together
Seinabo Sey – Younger (Kygo remix)
Dire Straits- So Far Away
 
The overall sound signature of the Sprint is pretty well balanced with a warm, full, smooth presentation and a slight lift in the lower bass region.
 
 
To start from the lows the sub bass is present but far from overwhelming. It extends fairly low and does have enough impact to make the Sprint enjoyable with most kinds of music.  The mid- and higher bass is less noticeable and this makes for a clean and clear overall listening experience.
 
 
The midrange is smooth and liquid and feels well in balance with the rest of the frequencies (i.e. is not recessed). The mids feels like the strongest part of the Sprint’s presentation to my ears.
 
 
The treble is also full and smooth but lacks some extension in the top range. It does however blend in very well with the rest of the presentation.
 
 
Soundstage in all directions is about average for an IEM. Although micro details and clarity is not where they perform their best they still manage to deliver a good enough performance in that area to stay enjoyable.
 
 
In total the Axgio Sprint offers a non-offensive, warm and smooth sound that I think goes very well with the intended use of a Bluetooth IEM, when you’re on the move, out and about.  Without really excelling in any area they still manage to sound very good. I’d consider these to be a good performer in its price range even if they didn’t offer the Bluetooth functionality.
 
 
Summary:
The Axgio Sprint offers a smooth and non-offensive listening experience that I believe most people will enjoy, I sure do. This combined with excellent ergonomics, 8 hours of battery life and a solid build quality makes them an easy recommendation for anyone looking for a Bluetooth IEM in the $50-100 range. I’d even go as far as to say that they’re the best sounding Bluetooth headset I’ve heard this far, well done Axgio.

The Trinity Audio Delta was purchased by me from Trinity Audio Engineering.  I’m not in any way affiliated with Trinity Audio Engineering.
 
The price was £90 minus a 20% discount for Head-Fi members when I bought them and this is where I ordered them from:
 
http://trinity-audio-engineering.myshopify.com/products/trinity-delta

 

About me:
I’m a 43 year old music and sound lover that changed my focus from speakers to headphones and IEM’s about five years ago. At that time I realized that it wasn’t realistic for me to have all the different setups that I wanted and still house a family of four children and a wife so my interest turned first to full sized headphones and later also IEM’s.
 
My preferences are towards full sized open headphones and I believe that also says something about what kind of sound signature I prefer (large soundstage in all directions, balanced and organic sound).
 
My music preferences are pretty much all over the place (only excluding classical music, jazz and really heavy metal). My all-time favorite band is Depeche Mode although I also listen to a lot of grunge/indie, singer/songwriter/acoustical stuff as well as the typical top 40 music.
 
I do not use EQ, ever.
 
I’m a sucker for value for money on most things in life, Head-Fi related stuff is no exception.
 
Built and accessories:
The Trinity Delta’s are a hybrid construction featuring one 8 mm dynamic neodymium driver and one Balanced Armature in ear monitor. They’re available in two models, one with a universal microphone and remote and one without. I’ve got the version without a microphone. The housing is made from metal and feel very well made.
 
The 3,5mm connector is straight but the accessories include a 90 degree angled adapter. Using it will make the connecting part clumsy and inconvenient though. To be honest this feel like a not very good last minute solution.  
 
The cable is one of the best I’ve ever seen in any IEM. It is multi braided and feels very soft and flexible in use. It also has very little microphonics and the small amount that’s there can be easily removed by wearing them over the ear. A chin slider is also in place.
 
The L/R marking is easy to spot due to its blue and red colors. The strain reliefs are in place but feel a bit small so it will be interesting to see how they hold up in the long run.
 
The retail package is very nice and could very well have been for a more expensive product.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
The accessories pack is very good and includes the following:
2 pairs foam tips (M,L)
4 pairs narrow bore silicon tips (S,M,L)
1 pair of double flange tips
1 L-angled 3,5mm adapter
1 shirt clip
2 pairs of extra filters for tuning the sound
1 zipped case to store them in when not in use
 
The Delta’s is a bit harder to drive than your average IEM  but still work well even with my weak (in power) Sony Z3 Compact phone.
 

 
 
 
The specs:
 
Ergonomics:
I’ve got very narrow ear canals and unfortunately the Delta’s don’t play well with them. The wide, short nozzles combined with the also wide housing made getting a good seal a big challenge for me. As a matter of fact after one week of usage I was so frustrated with the bad sound on the Delta’s that I just couldn’t understand how anyone could enjoy them then I tried some triple flange tip and realized my seal had not been good enough.
 
The Delta’s are actually one of the most problematic IEM’s I’ve ever come across when it comes to fitting well in my ears. After a LOT of tip rolling I’ve at least found a couple that seals well for me.
 
The Delta’s can be worn cable down or over the ear to your liking. There’s no need to switch channels for over the ear use. I prefer to use them with over the ear fit myself.
 
Although being really hard to get a good seal with for me the Delta’s, once well in place, are very comfortable to wear even for many hours. Due to their pretty short housings I’m also able to wear them when lying with my head on the side on a pillow without any particular discomfort.
 
I don’t know if it’s the shape of my ear canals or the design on the Delta’s but I find isolation to be really poor with them, even when using double flanges or foam tips.
 
Sound:
I’ve used these a lot since I got them about six weeks ago and they’ve played for well over 100 hours. I’ve used them both around the house and when out and about and I haven’t really found any significant weaknesses in the way they’re designed.
 
I’ve used them with my Sony Xperia Z3 Compact phone (with and without the Elecom LBT-PAR500), FiiO X3/Bluebird 6.0 combo, the Gekk Out 720 and my SHOZY Lancea/Cayin C5 combo and they’ve worked very well with all of them.
 
The Delta’s comes with three different tuning filters (more about these later) and after a lot of back and forward I’ve ended up with the stock (gun metal) ones as my favorite and this review is with these filters if nothing else in mentioned.
 
 
 
Demo list:
Mark Knopfler – Sailing to Philadelphia
Røyksopp (Feat.Susanne Sundfør) – Save Me
Ane Brun – These Days
Michael Jackson – Dirty Diana
Metallica – Die Die My Darling
The Peter Malick Group – Immigrant
Eva Cassidy – Songbird
Thomas Dybdahl – A Lovestory
Norah Jones – Don’t Know Why
Celldweller – Unshakeable
Jack Johnson – Better Together
Seinabo Sey – Younger (Kygo remix)
Dire Straits- So Far Away
Passenger – Let Her Go
Lupe Fiasco - Deliver
Morrissey – Earth Is the Loneliest Planet
 
The overall sound signature is dark and smooth with a pretty intimate presentation.
 
The lows have great extension and sub-bass have good impact. The mid- and higher bass is also very forward with good impact. As a matter of fact the mid-bass impact is one of the dominating things in the Delta’s presentation and for my taste it’s just too much of it. The bass is also a bit on the slow and boomy side. Bass-heads would most likely be very happy with the Delta’s.
 
The midrange is a bit forward and well balanced but unfortunately it’s quite often overshadowed by the higher bass. This is a shame really with a more balanced bass department the Delta’s would have the potential to be a really great IEM. The full midrange and the exaggerated upper bass give a nice weight to male voices and vocal reproduction in general is very good with them.
 
The treble is nice without any hint of sibilance and extension is quite good. I personally would have liked a bit more sparkle in the higher notes but the overall presentation of the higher regions is still enjoyable. With some music I find the treble to be a bit on the thin side. I enjoy the treble with the silver filter more but that filter also makes the higher bass even more dominating so it didn’t work out to well for me I the long run.
 
I find the soundstage width and height to be below average for an IEM but the depth is very good. The intimate presentation combined with the intrusive higher bass gives a quite dark and sometimes even dull sounding overall presentation.
 
Clarity and micro details are good for an IEM in this price range.
 
EDIT 23/11-15:
Lately I've been using the Delta's with a small mod simple consisting of putting some tape over the vent on the back of the housing and poking a hole in it with a needle. This makes a smaller bass port than the original one and a much better balanced sound (for my preference). I've also purchased the new gold filters for them. After a lot of back and forward I've find the combination of the gun metal filters and the tape mod to be the most enjoyable for me (with the combintaton og gold filters and tape mod as a very close second). 
 
In this configuration I like the Delta's a lot more as it gives them reduced mid-bass, more forward vocals and a much better soundstage width in addition to the strong points as clarity, details etc already mentioned in the original review.
 
The way they sound when modded I'd probably give them 4,5 star and for some music (Joy Williams, Melody Gardot, Jewel etc) I'm just loving them. 
 
Anyway, I just wanted to add this to my original review in case someone reads it and have the same thoughts about them as I do in its stock form and want to give this very simple mod a try. 
 
 
Tuning filter system:
The Trinity Delta’s originally came with three different tuning filters (gun metal, silver and purple) and one more said to sit between the gun metal and the silver will be available shortly.
 
The way the tuning filters work is that you can easily screw the nozzle off the rest of the housing and replacing it with another that will alter the sound in a different way.
 
The Delta’s will retain their basic sound signature no matter which filter you put on them but the changes can still easily be heard and this is a great help in tuning the IEM more to your preferred signature.
 
I’ll give a short description of how the different filters alter the sound:
 
Gun Metal:
The gun metal (AKA stock filter) is the most balanced one of the three. Bass still has plenty of impact but the treble is less lively compared to the other two filter options.
 
Silver:
The silver filter adds a nice energy to the higher frequencies but unfortunately also adds even more bass to an already bassy presentation.
 
 
Purple:
The purple filter reduces both sub- and mii-bass significantly and really pushes the treble forward. To me the Delta’s sound thin and shouty in this configuration.
 

 

 
 
Comparison:
Please note that the comments in the comparison section are not in absolute terms but in comparison between subject A and B. This means (as an example) that if subject A is found to be brighter than subject B it does not necessarily mean that subject B is bright sounding in absolute terms. I hope this makes sense.
 
ATH-CKR10 vs Trinity Delta:
Compared to the Delta’s the CKR10’s has a pretty similar overall presentation being intimate, smooth and warm. The CKR10’s also have a lift in the higher bass but manage to stay below that magical point where I find it too intrusive a lot more of the time than the Delta’s does. Otherwise the sub-bass depth is quite similar on the two but the bass on the CKR10’s is tighter and has much better layering.
 
The mids on the CKR10’s are more forward than on the Delta’s and I also find vocals to have a more natural tone with them.
 
The highs on the CKR10’s extends better and also have more sparkle and fullness to them while still staying equally smooth as the highs on the Delta’s.
 
Soundstage width and even depth is pretty similar but the CKR10’s has better height. The CKR10’s also has better separation and micro details. Coming from the Delta’s to the CKR10’s the latter feels much more airy and balanced in comparison.
 
I find them both very comfortable.
 
The CKR10’s are easier to drive.
 
Isolation is better on the CKR10’s.
  
Dunu Titan 1 vs Trinity Delta:
Compared to the Delta’s the Titan’s has a larger soundstage width and an overall brighter presentation.
 
Both sub-bass and mid-bass have less impact on the Titans but it’s also more controlled and better quality bass.
 
The midrange on the Titan’s is a bit more recessed and there’s less bass bleed into the mids on them.
 
The lower treble on the Titans is more energetic and the overall treble presentation is brighter. The treble on the Titans also extends a bit further up.
Soundtage width and height is better on the Titans while the Delta’s has better depth. Clarity is pretty similar while the overall presentation on the Titans is much more airy and better balanced.
 
The Titans are more comfortable.
 
They’re equally hard to drive.
 
Isolation is pretty similar on both.
 
Brainwavz S5 vs Trinity Delta (with silver filters):
The S5 is another IEM with hard hitting bass. Compared to the Delta’s the S5 has about similar impact in the sub-bass but a bit less mid- and upper bass. The bass on the S5, although being very present, actually feels more controlled and less disturbing in the rest of the frequencies.
 
The midrange on the S5 is a tad more recessed and also a bit grainy in comparison to the smooth presentation on the Delta’s. The Delta’s also has better clarity.
 
The treble on the S5 has a lot more energy but also feel a bit thinner and is more prone to sibilance.
 
The soundstage width and height on the S5 is better while the depth is about similar. The overall presentation on the S5 is more airy and energetic.
 
I like the ergonomics on both these IEM’s and find them equally comfortable.
 
They’re equally hard to drive.
 
Isolation is better on the S5’s.
 
Summary:
The Trinity Delta’s are an IEM with good sound and excellent build and accessories. If there’s anything that can make or brake an IEM for me it’s the amount of mid- and upper bass. Unfortunately on the Delta’s there’s just too much of this for my preference. It’s a petty really since I like the build and the rest of the sound on them a lot.  I’d also like to add a warning for people with narrow ear canals (like myself) that it can be a real challange to get a good seal with the Delta’s. For bass lovers who listen mostly to bass driven electronic music the Delta’s would be an excellent alternative.
 

I would like to start with saying thank you to Venture Electronic (VE) and Lee for letting me check out VE the Duke. I’d also like to give a special thank you to my dear friend Tamal who got me in contact with VE in the first place.
 
The Duke is available from Aliexpress:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Venture-Electronic-VE-DUKE-In-Ear-Earphone/32417283204.html
 
I’m not in any way affiliated with Venture Electronics.
 
Short introduction of Venture Electronics:
Venture Electronics (VE) is a small and pretty new company, only three years old.
 
They’re located in mainland China and have fast become very popular in audiophile circles due to their line of earbuds (Monk, Asura and Zen) which offers excellent value for money.
 
The Duke is the first IEM that they’ve released so let’s find out how it performs.
 
 
About me:
I’m a 43 year old music and sound lover that changed my focus from speakers to headphones and IEM’s about five years ago. At that time I realized that it wasn’t realistic for me to have all the different setups that I wanted and still house a family of four children and a wife so my interest turned first to full sized headphones and later also IEM’s.
 
My preferences are towards full sized open headphones and I believe that also says something about what kind of sound signature I prefer (large soundstage in all directions, balanced and organic sound).
 
My music preferences are pretty much all over the place (only excluding classical music, jazz and really heavy metal). My all-time favorite band is Depeche Mode although I also listen to a lot of grunge/indie, singer/songwriter/acoustical stuff as well as the typical top 40 music.
 
I do not use EQ, ever.
 
I’m a sucker for value for money on most things in life Head-Fi related stuff is no exception.
 
Built and accessories:
The VE Duke is a single dynamic driver in ear monitor featuring a 6 mm driver.
 
The cable is pretty good and seems to be identical to the one used on the A-T CKR series which I’ve got good experience with. It doesn’t look or feel like anything special but in use I find it to be excellent with very little tangling, low on microphonics, soft and flexible. The plug is L-shaped and feels very solid. I would’ve wished for the left/right marking to be more easily visible. The only other thing I’m missing is a chin slider. Thant’s easily solved though by either using the included shirt clip or this way:
 

 
 
The build seems very solid featuring aluminum alloy housings and strain reliefs in the right places.
 
The accessories pack is very good and includes the following:
3 pairs wide bore silicon tips (S,M,L)
4 pairs narrow bore silicon tips (S,M,L,XL)
2 pairs of triple flange tips
2 pairs of foam tips
1 pair of double flange tips
1 pair of ear hooks
1 shirt clip
1 box to store tips and other accessories
1 Pelican style case to store the Duke in when not in use
1 VE Monk (!)
 
This is what was included in my package and according to VE it’s also what is included in the retail package. If it turns out to be any changes I’ll edit the review accordingly.
 
I think the fact that the Duke comes with a free pair of very good sounding earbuds as a part of the accessories says a lot about Venture Electronics as a company and their philosophy, talk about added value!
 

 

 

 

 

 
 
The Duke is a slightly harder to drive than your average IEM but it still works fine even with my weak (in power) Sony Z3 Compact phone. Isolation is above average.
 
The specs:
 
Ergonomics:
The Duke is a really tiny IEM. It’s designed to be used with deep insertion and this is the way I find it to sound the best as well.
 
I’ve got very narrow ear canals and usually avoid deep fit designs so the first couple of days were quite challenging for me with the Duke. After using it for a while and starting to realize what kind of tips that was the best for it I found three different tips that were very comfortable for me to use with them. During this process I also noticed that the sound that the Duke delivers is highly dependent on the kind of tips used (more about this in the sound section of this review).
 
By using the Duke with deep insertion the isolation becomes excellent and there’s no need to crank up the volume to enjoy your favorite tunes.
 
The way they’re designed gives the possibility to use them cable down or over the ears which ever you prefer. There’s no need to switch the channels when wearing them over the ears. I personally found the most comfortable fit by wearing them cable down.
 
 

 

 

 

 
 
Sound:
I’ve used these as my main IEM for the last two weeks and they’ve played for well over 100 hours. I’ve used them both around the house and when out and about and I haven’t really found any significant weaknesses in the way they’re designed.
 
I’ve used them with my Sony Xperia Z3 Compact phone (with and without the Elecom LBT-PAR500) as well as the SHOZY Lancea, both by itself and paired with Venture Electronics own amplifier the RunAbout (separate review will come soon).
 
Demo list:
Mark Knopfler – Sailing to Philadelphia
Røyksopp (Feat.Susanne Sundfør) – Save Me
Ane Brun – These Days
Michael Jackson – Dirty Diana
Metallica – Die Die My Darling
The Peter Malick Group – Immigrant
Eva Cassidy – Songbird
Thomas Dybdahl – A Lovestory
Norah Jones – Don’t Know Why
Celldweller – Unshakeable
Jack Johnson – Better Together
Seinabo Sey – Younger (Kygo remix)
Dire Straits- So Far Away
Passenger – Let Her Go
Lupe Fiasco - Deliver
Morrissey – Earth Is the Loneliest Planet
 
I find the Duke to perform its best with narrow bore tips which helps to reduce sibilance and makes the bass really tight. My favorite tips are the Ostry OS100 as they offer the perfect combination between airiness and smoothness for my ears and taste.
 

 

 
 
The overall sound signature is very well balanced and I don’t find the Duke to be neither dark nor particularly bright sounding.
 
The lows have good extension in the sub-bass region and the quality of the bass is very good. Mid- and upper-bass, while not having the greatest impact, is clean and clear with absolutely no bleed into the midrange. The bass quantity is enough to keep them from sounding thin.  These surely are not for bass-heads but I still find the bass sufficient to work with most music genres and the only time I miss a little more impact is with electronic music. From memory the bass on the Duke reminds me a lot of the bass on the FAD Heaven VII’s with a touch more mid-bass presence.
 
The midrange is slightly forward but still well in balance with the rest of the frequencies. There’s a bit more emphasis on the higher mids/lower treble making female voices sound excellent while the lower amount of upper bass can make male voices lack weight on some recordings compared with IEM’s that have a fuller overall sound. In total the vocal reproduction on both male and female artist is very good though.
 
The treble extends really well and does not come across as thin sounding. I’d even go as far as saying that it’s one of the most well extended treble reproductions I’ve ever heard. This in combination with the revealing nature of the Duke makes sibilance an issue with some recordings, tips and sources. With the right tips, source and good recordings this is not an issue though.
 
Make no mistake the Duke is a very revealing IEM with almost surgical precision. If you’re listening to a bad recording or low quality MP3 files the Duke will show that without mercy. The same, as already mentioned,  is true regarding sibilance if it’s there in the recording you’re going to hear it. With deep insertion I don’t find it sibilant as long as it’s not there in the original recording just amazingly revealing at natural sounding. The Duke is also naturally quite sensitive to what source you use and does definitely scale with a better one. That being said I find it to have great synergy with my Xperia Z3c phone. The best combo I’ve found so far is the SHOZY Lancea feeding the VE RunAbout, this is an extremely good sounding setup.
 
Soundstage width is above average for an IEM. Soundstage depth and height are both excellent.
 
Clarity and micro details is also good while separation is extremely good to my ears. There’s plenty of space between instruments making the Duke a rather relaxed listening although it’s not a warm and smooth sounding IEM. As a matter of fact the separation and instrument positioning is among the strongest parts on the Duke. 
 
So is the Duke an analytical, cold and boring sounding IEM? To me yes, it’s analytical in the way that it's very revealing but I don’t find it particularly cold and certainly not boring sounding. It manages to still stay very musical and engaging in spite of being revealing and realistic in its presentation.
 

 

 
 
Comparison:
Please note that the comments in the comparison section are not in absolute terms but in comparison between subject A and B. This means (as an example) that if subject A is found to be brighter than subject B it does not necessarily mean that subject B is bright sounding in absolute terms. I hope this makes sense.
 
Audio-Technica CKR9 vs VE Duke:
Compared to the Duke the CKR9 has similar soundstage in all directions. The CKR9’s has significantly more impact in both sub- and mid-bass. Bass quality is excellent on both but the bigger quantity on the CKR9’s gives them better bass layering. Midrange is equally forward on both but the CKR9’s are more energetic and “in your face” sounding.  The CKR9’s can actually sound shouty occasionally compared to the Duke. The Duke has better separation and, being brighter, comes across as being more detailed.  They both have excellent treble extension but the CKR9’s is smoother in the top.
 
I find them both very comfortable.
 
The Duke is harder to drive.
 
Isolation is much better on the Duke.
  
Trinity Delta vs VE Duke:
Compared to the Duke the Delta’s has significantly more mid- and upper bass impact. The bass is also slower. The midrange is slightly forward on both. The Delta’s are smoother and fuller sounding while the Duke has better clarity and micro details and also offers a better soundstage in all directions. The midrange on the Delta’s is thicker and male voices have more weight. Treble extension is better on the Duke but the Delta’s has a smoother top end.
 
The Duke is a much better fit and more comfortable for my ears.
 
They’re both slightly harder than average to drive.
 
Isolation is much better on the Duke.
 
Dunu Titan 1 vs VE Duke
These two actually share quite a bit of their overall signature. Compared to the Duke the Titan 1 has a bit more sub-bass impact and also more impact on the mid-bass. Soundstage width is pretty similar on the two while the Duke has better soundstage depth and height. Clarity and details are on par but the midrange on the Duke is more forward. The Duke also has better layering and separation while the Titans have more a more energetic and airy presentation. Overall the Duke sounds slightly fuller in the higher frequencies while the Titans got a bit fuller lower end.
 
Although they’ve got totally different fit they‘re both very comfortable.
 
They’re both slightly harder than average to.
 
Due to the half in ear design on the Titan 1 the Dukes isolates a lot better.
 
Summary:
To sum up the Duke I’d say it’s a natural and revealing sounding IEM that still manages to stay very musical. Many times during the period with them leading to this review I’ve got lost in the music forgetting what I was doing and I’ve also got goose bumps while listening to them on multiple occasions. To me that’s all what this hobby is about and the best sign of an excellent performer.
 
Add to this excellent build quality, great ergonomics, very good isolation and one of the best accessories packages I’ve ever seen and the Duke is a very easy recommendation to anyone looking for an excellent performing IEM at a crazy value for what it delivers.
 
When Lee at Venture Electronics says that "keeping it real is our simple slogan” I wholeheartedly believe him.